Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

Few countries are better positioned to capitalize on the opportunities created by China’s economic transition than the 10 states that constitute the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Its members understand that what is good for one is, in theory, good for the whole — so much so that unanimity was made a central tenet of their founding charter. But domestic political considerations often prevent them from acting as one. And it is this discrepancy between collective interests and individual interests that will determine how quickly their economies grow — and how deeply they integrate.

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Snapshots Feb 8, 2019 | 23:07 GMTFeb 8, 2019

Thailand: Will a Princess's Decision to Run for Prime Minister Upend Thai Politics?

Thailand is preparing for its first election since a military coup in 2014. Now a member of the royal family is challenging the monarchy's long-standing role to stay above the political fray.

A farmer works in a rice field on the outskirts of the central Vietnamese city of Hue on Jan. 17.

Assessments Oct 22, 2018 | 10:00 GMTOct 22, 2018

The U.S.-China Battle Complicates Vietnam's Economic Ambitions

Hanoi is eager to attract higher-end investment, but doing so won't be easy as Beijing and Washington cross swords on Vietnam's doorstep.

China's tech giants see Southeast Asia as a market ready for development.

Assessments Mar 20, 2018 | 15:16 GMTMar 20, 2018

China's Tech Giants Are Racing the West Into Southeast Asia

Alibaba, Tencent and others see the region in China's backyard as critical in the battle for global tech supremacy.

Indonesians in 171 jurisdictions will go to the ballot box on June 27.

Assessments Mar 7, 2018 | 08:00 GMTMar 7, 2018

Southeast Asia Heads to the Polls

What to expect from the elections over the next six months in Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

$Mountainous terrain, such as found in in Myanmar's Chin state, is common among the states of Southeast Asia, contributing to internal fractures in many of its countries.$

Assessments Jan 26, 2018 | 09:00 GMTJan 26, 2018

Could Federalism Smooth Southeast Asia’s Rough Edges?

The region's leaders look at softening central control to manage their countries' geographic differences, but they would risk widening internal fractures.

Snapshots Jan 25, 2018 | 20:11 GMTJan 25, 2018

Indonesia, Vietnam: U.S. Defense Secretary Hopes to Win Over the Indo-Pacific

Washington's strategy to counter China's maritime ambition is to build a maritime region of its own.

The concept of a "Southeast Asia" stretching between India and China failed to gain widespread acceptance until World War II, and the region is still defined by its deep geographic and economic divisions.

Assessments Nov 20, 2017 | 08:00 GMTNov 20, 2017

Trade Profile: ASEAN Pulls the Threads Together

Although ASEAN's members often diverge on trade, they are united by the fact that they compete with other lower-end manufacturers for overseas markets and by their shared security and strategic interests.

The relative peace and prosperity in Europe may have shaped an idealistic approach to globalism.

On the Road Oct 22, 2017 | 14:58 GMTOct 22, 2017

Globalism in the Eyes of Two Beholders

The course of events after the Cold War ended may explain why few in Asia share the predominant European belief in the inevitability of a tightly knit global system.

By Rodger Baker