Indonesia’s Disasters Do Not Wait Their Turn

On August 23, the head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, was in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, inspecting the national logistics post for the deadly Flores earthquake. Yet part of the operational update he gave that day concerned a crisis more than 1,000 kilometres away.

Southeast Asia’s Defence Partnerships Are Expanding Beyond Bilateral Alliances 

On August 30, the Philippines and US marked the 75th anniversary of their Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT), reaffirming an alliance that has evolved from a Cold War security pact into an expanded defence partnership. The relationship now covers military exercises, operational coordination, capability development, maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster response, while increasingly coupling the Philippines with wider regional security networks.

Indonesian President’s State of the Nation Address Turns Targets Into Achievements

On August 14, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto’s 2026 addressed the country through a State of the Nation speech in anticipation of the Independence Day celebration on August 17. The message was simple, that after 21 months in office, his government claimed to be delivering results. He offered a long-list of numbers to support that message: 1,931 trillion Indonesian rupiah (109.7 billion US dollar) in investment, 5.61% economic growth, 121 “transformative” policies, 71,744 renovated schools and tens of millions reached by the flagship Free Nutritious Meals programme.

Myanmar’s Protracted Crisis Has Become a Defining Test of ASEAN’s Regional Diplomacy

ASEAN’s renewed calls for broader humanitarian access, the unconditional release of detained political figures in Myanmar on August 3 and support for a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process have once again highlighted the bloc’s reliance on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as its principal framework for engagement. Its continued reaffirmation at successive summits and ministerial meetings has increasingly raised questions over ASEAN’s strategic integrity, credibility and centrality in responding to one of the region’s most enduring security challenges.

Thai-Cambodian Maritime Settlement Remains Uncertain despite UNCLOS Conciliation 

On July 19, Cambodia confirmed that it had reached an agreement with Thailand in regard to both countries’ maritime dispute around Koh Kut Island to allow additional time for the appointment of the Conciliation Commission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), describing the delay as “modest and entirely appropriate.” The extension followed a joint request by the four appointed conciliators and backed up by the Cambodian government that it will not affect any prescribed timeline or procedural step under the UN-backed process.