
Can Myanmar’s Protesters Succeed?
Led by student activists, the new civil-disobedience movement draws on the experience of older generations—but its methods and demands are a radical break with the past.

Vietnam Picks Control Over Reform at 13th National Party Congress
Conservative decisions and an aging leadership don’t bode well.

Cambodia’s Post-Pandemic Law and Order
Amid economic crisis, sweeping new legislation on “public order” would stifle dissent—and effectively criminalize people for being poor.

Is Beijing Backing the Myanmar Coup?
The Biden administration needs clarity from China as the new U.S. president acts on his first major crisis.

What’s Next for Myanmar
State leader Min Aung Hlaing, who was due to retire as commander in chief when he turns 65 in July, could now extend his hold on power.

Cutting Through the Hype on Asia’s New Trade Deal
The RCEP truly is a China-style trade agreement: platitudinous and ineffective.

Myanmar’s Elections Won’t Be Free or Fair
Five years after the National League for Democracy won in a landslide, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party fails to live up to its name.

To Fight the Coronavirus, Myanmar Needs a Cease-Fire in Rakhine
With humanitarian aid and internet services restricted, the conflict-torn state could soon face a public health disaster.

Southeast Asia is Ground Zero in the New U.S.-China Conflict—and Beijing Is Winning
‘Under Beijing’s Shadow’ lays out in compelling detail how China is working to dominate the region.

After Another Mining Disaster, Ethnic Minorities Lose Patience With Myanmar’s Leadership
For those in the borderlands, the recent landslide in Kachin state is a symptom of the government’s empty promises.

Vietnam Steps Up to Take ASEAN Leadership Role
Hanoi’s strong position on China and COVID-19 success bolster its status.

Malaysia’s Coronavirus Scapegoats
Undocumented migrants and refugees are caught in the crossfire of Malaysia’s coronavirus response and a xenophobic backlash.

The Pandemic Has Given Armies in Southeast Asia a Boost
In Indonesia and the Philippines, military leaders are managing the coronavirus response—with lasting political repercussions.

In Cambodia, a Spiritual Army Battles an Earthly Pandemic
With little faith in the government’s coronavirus response, many rural Cambodians are turning to the divine.

Coronavirus ‘Fake News’ Arrests Are Quieting Critics
In Southeast Asia, the coronavirus pandemic has provided a handy excuse for a clampdown on free speech.

As Rohingya Boats Keep Sailing, Southeast Asia Turns a Blind Eye
With the coronavirus now an excuse for inaction, the threat to the embattled minority is growing ever sharper.

In Myanmar, the Coronavirus Gives Nationalists an Opening
In its delayed response to the pandemic, Aung San Suu Kyi’s government prioritizes the country’s ethnic majority.

China’s Neighbors Face a Belligerent Post-Pandemic Beijing
Experts discuss the regional fallout of the coronavirus crisis.