January 27, 2026 CEBU CITY – Decisions made by ASEAN tourism leaders this week will directly shape visitor experience, destination competitiveness, business resilience, and community livelihoods across Southeast Asia, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso said. She opened the 63rd ASEAN National Tourism Organization (NTO) Meeting in Cebu City on Monday. High-level coordination … Read more
JAKARTA – The shifting global order is subjecting ASEAN to one of its toughest tests in decades, but speakers at a World Economic Forum panel said the turbulence is also creating opportunities the region is well placed to seize. Even as South-east Asia moves slower than it would like to – and recognises its own … Read more
January 23, 2026 JAKARTA – Indonesia’s entry onto the Board of Peace for Gaza on Thursday has stoked fresh fears that Jakarta could be coerced into a United States-controlled agenda in the war-torn territory, amid concerns it might stray from or even rival existing United Nations mechanisms to restore peace. President Prabowo Subianto signed off … Read more
Introduction As the Iranian government cracks down on recent protests, President Donald Trump has assured insurgents “help is on the way”. Surprisingly, US allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have made clear that their territories and airspace will not be used by America to launch an attack on Iran. These protests arose from a currency … Read more
January 20, 2026 BANGKOK – China is poised to increase its involvement in rare earth production and refining in Malaysia, a move seen as an attempt to counter efforts by Japan and the United States to strengthen their ties with the country. China commands a dominant 90% share of the global rare earth refining market, … Read more
January 16, 2026 HANOI – Việt Nam would continue to play a proactive, active and responsible role in ASEAN digital cooperation, said Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính while addressing the opening of the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) on Thursday in Hà Nội. Welcoming ASEAN ministers, international delegates and representatives of the technology business … Read more
January 16, 2026 NEW DELHI – Undeterred by reports of scores of Indians in Russia being forcibly drafted into the Ukraine war – some of whom have died – Mr Rakesh Shah still wants to travel to Russia to work in construction, underlining the risks Indian workers are willing to take for employment. Rubbing his … Read more
Key themes discussed by Asean leaders at the bloc’s 46th summit in Kuala Lumpur last month included regional resilience and strategic diversification. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: As US-China geopolitical tensions escalate across multiple fronts, from tariffs to technology disputes, Asean finds itself navigating the complexities of balancing its ties with the world’s two largest economies. … Read more
JAKARTA – ASEAN has set its sights on strengthening economic cooperation in an attempt to navigate regional security challenges, though analysts warn that such ambitions may fall short without meaningful institutional reform. At the summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, Southeast Asian leaders convened to discuss the region’s most pressing issues, while also unveiling the … Read more
In an era defined by geopolitical fragmentation, economic nationalism, and existential climate threats, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has revealed an ambitious plan for its future. The Forum on ASEAN Community Building (FPCI)—a civil society initiative involving policymakers, academics, and regional experts—recently outlined 35 strategic recommendations to create a “resilient, inclusive, and sustainable … Read more