The Latest on Southeast Asia

The CSIS biweekly update on Southeast Asia brings you cutting edge analysis of the latest political, economic, and security trends in the region.

AllThe Latest on Southeast Asia Blog Posts

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The Latest on Southeast Asia: Military Reform & Student Protests in Indonesia

On March 20, the Indonesian House of Representatives  passed significant revisions to the 2004 Law on the Indonesian Armed Forces. After a series of clandestine deliberations conducted in luxury hotels, the amendments sped through the House less than a month after their introduction and President Prabowo Subianto’s written endorsement. 

Blog Post by Japhet Quitzon — March 27, 2025

The Latest on Southeast Asia: U.S. Withdrawal from JETP

On March 6, U.S. treasury secretary Scott Bessent withdrew the United States from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a platform for developed nations to aid developing nations transition from coal to clean energy. 

Blog Post by Japhet Quitzon — March 13, 2025

The Latest on Southeast Asia: Trump’s Defense Alliances in Southeast Asia

Within the first 30 days of the second Trump administration, the United States has focused on its bilateral defense alliances in Southeast Asia, with U.S. secretary of defense Pete Hegseth holding phone calls with counterpart officials in the Philippines and Thailand. 

Blog Post by Lauren Mai — February 27, 2025

The Latest on Southeast Asia: Rubio and the South China Sea

In his first week on the job, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made maritime security and the South China Sea a central focus of discussions with Quad partners and three Southeast Asian nations.

Blog Post by Lauren Mai and Gregory B. Poling — January 30, 2025

Spotlight - Malaysia: January 16, 2025

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia finds himself navigating choppy waters as his reformist agenda faces mounting challenges.

Blog Post by Sophie Lemière — January 16, 2025

The Latest on Southeast Asia: Cambodia Updates

On December 15, the USS Savannah arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia for a five-day visit, marking the first U.S. port call in the country in eight years. 

Blog Post by Gregory B. Poling and Japhet Quitzon — December 19, 2024