- The Philippine Senate failed to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law by its deadline on Thursday, throwing into doubt the future of the bill and potentially complicating the peace process in the south. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, however, seemed relatively undeterred, as it shelved its first batch of firearms this week, handing them in to the independent decommissioning body, a crucial step in the DDR process.
- China is slowly and deliberately excising the maritime heart out of Southeast Asia, says Carl Thayer.
- Tom Kramer looks at the state of counter narcotics in Myanmar, and where policy is failing.
- The Australian ran a fascinating interview with Mahathir Mohamad: 'They still owe it all to me'. (Subscription needed.)
- Sasiwan Chingchit explores the 'mutual neglect' in defence ties between India and Thailand.
- The US and Vietnam need to draw closer and discuss China's A2/AD strategy, says Zach Abuza.
- On New Mandala, Thingchai Winichakul & Tyrell Haberkorn explore the Thai Junta's doublespeak, and CSIS's Murray Hiebert testifies about the state of democracy in Thailand.
- Drug use is on the rise in Vietnam as rehabilitation programs fail.
- The Economist asks: are the Rohingya the most persecuted people on earth?
- China's gambling ban is sending Chinese across the border to casinos in Laos' Golden Triangle SEZ. Is it a money laundering scheme or a local development project? The documentary won a Silver World Medal at the 2015 New York Festival:
Southeast Asia links: BBL fail, Thai democracy, drugs in Myanmar and Vietnam, and more
Published 16 Jun 2015
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