Russia’s war in Ukraine has undermined a long-held assumption of naval warfare: that the bigger fleet wins. Ukraine has no navy capable of matching Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Yet, with home-built missiles, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and off-the-shelf commercial technology, it has inflicted heavy costs on a far stronger adversary.
Category: Politics
Philippines Leads the 20th AMMTC, Calls for “Concrete Steps” to Dismantle Transnational Crime
The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and its related meetings concluded on October 21. This conclave serves as the annual meeting of the highest policy-making institution specialised in dismantling transnational organised crime across the region.
Beyond Firefighting: Why Regional Pressure, Not National Reform, Will Stop the Haze
In the annual dry season, Indonesia faces a cyclical crisis: forests and peatlands burn, haze crosses national borders and, ultimately, neighbouring countries brace for the consequences. The recurrence of these fires raises a question that emergency responses alone cannot answer.
Indonesia Wildfires Prompt Protests Over Haze and Public Health
On October 20, protests spread across several Indonesian cities over forest fires and toxic haze that have affected public health for weeks, putting renewed pressure on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s government as it marked its second year in office.
Cambodia and Thailand Continue Confidence-Building Efforts Over Maritime Dispute
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed on confidence-building measures during their latest round of UN-led conciliation talks, continuing efforts to resolve longstanding differences over their maritime boundary under international law.
Indonesia Fires Raise Haze Concerns as Air Quality Worsens in Singapore and Timor-Leste
Forest and land fires in Indonesia have heightened concerns over transboundary haze in Southeast Asia, with Singapore recording unhealthy air quality and Timor-Leste suspending in-person classes nationwide from October 15 to 17 as a precaution against worsening pollution.
Who Protects the Public’s Right to Know?
The Malacca Strait has long been a passage for ships, goods, people and ideas, but in September 2026 it also became an appropriate setting for a more urgent discussion: whether the flow of credible public information in Southeast Asia remains sufficiently free from political pressure, legal intimidation, economic dependency and digital manipulation.
Malaysia Steps Up Engagement with Myanmar Amid Ongoing Political Crisis
On October 8, Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim pledged to work towards Myanmar’s integration into the ASEAN, following talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing during his two-day official visit to Malaysia.
Beyond the Mainland Line: How ASEAN Members Are Reopening the Door to Myanmar
On October 7, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Malaysia for a two-day official visit, extending a diplomatic return to ASEAN capitals that until this week had remained concentrated in mainland Southeast Asia. His arrival made Malaysia the fifth ASEAN member in the recent sequence—and the first maritime Southeast Asian country to host him.
Philippines’ Marcos Arrives in Singapore to Boost Investment, Forbes Summit on Itinerary
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on a five-day working visit to Singapore from October 7 to 11, a crucial time as the city-state is preparing to take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.