Asean Secretariat must be empowered
With six months left in his five-year term, Asean Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan is making a last-ditch effort to strengthen his 260-strong staff, including 79 openly recruited from all member countries, at the Jakarta-based organisation.
Putin's return helps focus on Asean
President Vladimir Putin's return as the Russian leader was not discussed seriously in this corner of the world. Like it or not, his third presidency will impact on the Asia-Pacific region in particular Asean more than ever before. With the...
Thailand walks a tightrope on South China Sea
When Thailand serves as the new coordinating country for Asean-China relations beginning July, expectations are extremely high that the country, which has an intimate tie with China, would be able to keep peace and stability through managing...
Challenges to civil society in Asean and beyond
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen displayed his finest brinksmanship in handling the engagement with the Asean-based civil society organizations at the recent Asean summit in Phnom Penh. Ahead of the leader's meeting, his government organized a...
Myanmar's exiled media starting to head home
News of Myanmar's exiled media returning home has excited the community of dissidents and media activists around the world.
Thailand as a pivotal Chinese partner
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's four-day visit to China this week will reaffirm Thailand as pivotal to China's foreign policy towards Southeast Asia and vice versa.
Asean's old rifts with China widen in Phnom Penh
Over the past decades, the Philippines used to be benign with its defence strategy over the claims in South China Sea.
Thailand looks beyond the US alliance
Thailand is losing out big time in the fast shifting strategic landscape due to its leaders' inability to break away from the vicious political cycle at home as other countries in the region gain higher levels playing fields and strategic...
Burma and Asean: beyond electoral challenges
When Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan met with Burmese President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw last month, it was a special occasion with potentially far-reaching consequences.
Japan is back on its feet again for the region
Japan is more engaging and open one year after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear crisis. Politicians, academics and ordinary people are enthusiastic wanting to tell the world that their country is coming back with vigor. They have...
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