Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

President Joko Widodo has a vision to overhaul his sprawling country's energy sector, but doing so is easier said than done.

Under the threat of a U.S. trade salvo, Hanoi could be forced to readjust its longtime "neutral" approach between Washington and Beijing to ensure its economic growth stays on track.

Chinese and Vietnamese vessels have reportedly faced off in the disputed waters of the energy-rich Vanguard Bank, ending a five-year spell of relative peace in the region.

Vietnam's emerging role as a place to dodge tariffs is exacerbating longtime frictions with the U.S. over the country's growing trade surplus.

Internal splintering, a slowing economy and dismal approval ratings stand in the way of the new government's long-term political success.

With his allies in the legislature scoring big in midterm elections, the Philippine leader is well placed to continue beating a path to Beijing's door.

In seeking to check Beijing's rise, Tokyo is pursuing closer links with its wider region -- thereby offering smaller countries a choice apart from overbearing U.S. or Chinese influence.

If Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong is in fact seriously ill, political infighting could eventually threaten Vietnam's newfound prosperity.

For all it encompasses -- 16 countries, almost half the world's population and a third of its economic output -- the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership's boost to trade will remain modest as long as it sidesteps nontariff barriers.

Ahead of national elections, Thai military leaders instituted measures to curb civilian power, limiting the risk of the political chaos that marked 2014.