Southeast Asia Insights

For more than two years, Israel has waged war and genocide against Gaza. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, entire neighborhoods destroyed, and humanitarian conditions have collapsed. While distant geographically, Southeast Asia has not been indifferent. Across the region, governments and citizens have largely shared one position: support for Palestine and opposition to Israel's genocide.   That unity now faces quiet pres...

The Philippines and Malaysia have officially joined the Artemis Accords, a global agreement that promotes peaceful, transparent, and cooperative space exploration. With their entry, the total number of signatories has reached 59 countries, reflecting growing international support for shared rules in outer space.   What Are the Artemis Accords? The Artemis Accords are guidelines developed by NASA in 2020 to help countries work together on ...

In Southeast Asia, thousands of desperate migrants are fleeing conflict, poverty, and climate disasters. But instead of finding safety, many fall into the hands of cruel smugglers who exploit their hopes for a better future.   Dangerous Journeys For many migrants, crossing borders illegally is their only option. Many have no legal papers and must rely on smugglers to cross into new countries. The journey is very risky.   According ...

The idea sounds bold. The Philippines and Indonesia are exploring a possible joint bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. After a recent regional sports meeting, the proposal resurfaced and quickly drew public attention. For some officials, bringing the world’s biggest sporting event to Southeast Asia signals ambition and confidence.   Can a Country With Failing Infrastructure Afford an Olympic Dream? Ambition, however, cannot hide the pro...

Catastrophic floods and landslides have torn through South and Southeast Asia in recent weeks, as powerful tropical storms and cyclones hit Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.   The destruction has been overwhelming. More than 2,000 people are dead across Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand alone, with many are missing. In Sri Lanka, over 1.1 million people were displaced, prompting President Anura Kumara ...