ASEAN in 2026 is no longer operating as a neutral trade hub sitting comfortably between competing powers. It has become a contested economic and strategic space where external engagement increasingly arrives with embedded conditions that shape domestic policy choices and development pathways. Access to major markets and capital is no longer frictionless; it is mediated through tariffs, regulatory […]

Online scams have become an industrialized, borderless enterprise. The global cybercrime economy now exceeds US$10 trillion, with over US$1 trillion lost to scams annually. Beyond financial losses, scams erode mental well-being, public trust, and drain enforcement resources. The Asia–Pacific region is both heavily targeted and operationally central: Southeast Asia hosts large-scale scam operations, often linked […]

Exploring China’s Role in Southeast Asia’s Energy Transition examines how China has become a central actor in shaping Southeast Asia’s shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. The report outlines the key drivers behind China’s expanding role and its varied approaches to engagement across ASEAN member states. It includes case studies from six countries—Cambodia, Lao […]