Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has sought to implement security reforms that will allow the country's defence forces to assume a more prominent role in regional and international peace and security matters. However, an expanded and more robust defence force could heighten the risks for Japanese businesses and nationals abroad, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.…
Thailand's use of forced DNA sweeps in the Deep South to combat the region's insurgency is further alienating locals and is likely to lead to more separatist-inspired terror attacks, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
Southeast Asia is capturing the attention of mobile game developers, due to a young population and improvements in telecommunication infrastructure networks. Despite e-payment difficulties and language and cultural barriers, the demand for mobile games is set to increase, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
As Alibaba increases its presence in the US, what questions does it raise about the company's overall strategy in the country? Asks Anna Beare.
Indonesia, one of the largest economies in Southeast Asia, is taking steps to lure foreign investors, writes Anna Beare.
A resurgence in organised hijackings of small fuel tankers in Southeast Asian waters not only highlights a growing sophistication of piracy in the region but also suggests that counter piracy operations are facing several challenges, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
While the Abu Sayyaf Group's pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State might inspire it to politicise its kidnappings, jumping on the IS bandwagon ultimately serves as a springboard for the group to reassert its status as a feared organisation in the region, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
The recent hostage crisis in Australia has led to fears of further attacks by home-grown jihadists. However, the threat of so-called ‘lone wolf' attacks should be the greater concern, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
A new gambit by Al Qaeda sparks security concerns in Southeast Asia, but the franchise is best viewed as part of a struggle for supremacy with an ascendant Islamic State, writes Rachel McLaughlin.
Indonesia's President-elect represents a new step forward for Indonesia's burgeoning democracy, writes Peter Honey.
Anti-China riots in Vietnam were a symptom of widespread resentment in Southeast Asia. Further violence is likely as governments struggle to negotiate territorial disputes and unequal trade relations while answering to their people's demands, writes Alice Shone
The legislative elections did not deliver a decisive victory for the PDI-P party, led by presidential favourite Joko Widodo, and the prospect of a close presidential race threatens further electoral violence in Aceh, writes Alice Shone.