On March 10, the House of Representatives of the Philippines passed a bill to hold legislative elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the second week of September 2026.
Author: Jonathan Kay
Correspondent
Myanmar’s fuel supply from Iran faces disruption as war ravages Middle East
In violation of international sanctions against Tehran, the Myanmar junta imported gasoline from Iran as many as three times from December 2025 to the initial stage of the war between Iran and the US-Israel on February 28.
Three Indonesian crew members went missing after their tugboat sank in the Strait of Hormuz
Three Indonesian tugboat crew members are missing after their ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz.
Southeast Asia divided in reaction to the Middle East crisis
The US-Israel strikes on Iran, which killed the latter’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his influential aides on February 28, prompted different reactions across Southeast Asia. While geographically distant, Southeast Asian governments stated concerns, expressed with cautious language, economic anxiety, and, in some countries, blunt condemnation.
Philippines confronts alleged Chinese intelligence activity
The Philippines’ National Security Council (NSC) revealed a clandestine Chinese intelligence operations on its territory on March 4.
Southeast Asian states respond to Middle East crisis-driven fuel pressures
Following rising tension between US-Israel and Iran that started on February 28, fuel prices and demand in Southeast Asia have surged. One major factor was the blockade of Hormuz Strait which disrupted the global energy supply-chain through which 13 million barrels of oil per day are transported. There are rising concerns over liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and gasoline rarity.
To anticipate further consequences, some Southeast Asian governments have introduced different measures. Myanmar restricts the use of personal cars as gasoline and diesel are two sources of energy in the country.
Myanmar junta pardons over ten thousand political prisoners
Demonstrators in Yangon hold portraits of Aung San Suu Kyi while protesting against Myanmar’s military coup, demanding democracy and the release of detained civilian leaders. […]
Malaysia unanimously condemns US-Israeli strikes against Iran
Following the attacks and retaliations between US-Israel and Iran starting on February 28, Southeast Asian countries are divided in their reaction.
Thirty nations join Asia’s largest joint exercise training in Thailand
Troops from 30 nations take part in the 45th Cobra Gold drills, strengthening regional defense and disaster response coordination. (The Nation) On February 26, 30 […]
US imposes new tariffs on solar imports from Indonesia and Laos
Solar power contributed significantly to electricity generation at a Texas, recent energy data shows. (Recurrent Energy) The US Department of Commerce released new tariff policies […]