Southeast Asia

Articles


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Whose Indo-Pacific? Why Civil Society Matters More Than Ever

Published: 26 January 2026
Article
Southeast Asian civil society is increasingly shaped by a geopolitical language it did not choose. As great-power rivalry intensifies, funding declines, security narratives harden, and civic space narrows, groups defending human rights, democracy, and environmental justice are pushed into survival mode. Although Indo-Pacific policies speak of democratic values, these are often overshadowed by trade and security priorities, leaving activists more exposed and politicized even as their geopolitical relevance grows.
Khoo Ying Hooi

More articles about Southeast Asia (153)


Dossiers


coffee and climate change 2025

Brewing Resilience: Coffee and Climate Change in Southeast Asia

Published: 5 December 2025
Web-dossier
Southeast Asia’s coffee heartlands are on the frontline of climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather threaten the livelihoods of millions of farmers and the future of a globally important crop: coffee.  This dossier brings together expert analysis, audio visual perspectives, collective and individual stories from across the Southeast Asian region on coffee production and climate change. It emphasizes on adaptation strategies, sustainable agriculture efforts, highlighting gender perspectives and regional cooperation. Connecting farmers’ experiences with academic insights and policy debates, the dossier offers a comprehensive view of the challenges ahead and recommendations that can help ensure coffee to continue to thrive in a changing climate. While we launch this dossier with initial contributions in December 2025, it will be a growing collection, with more contributions to be added over time.  So enjoy the first brew – and stay tuned for more to come

Publications


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Whose Indo-Pacific?

Published: 25 January 2026
E-Paper
Southeast Asian civil society is increasingly shaped by a geopolitical language it did not choose. As great-power competition intensifies, funding shrinks, security narratives harden, and civic space contracts, organizations defending human rights, democracy, and environmental justice are pushed into survival mode. While Indo-Pacific policies invoke democracy and the rule of law, these ideals are often eclipsed by trade and security priorities. For many activists, the Indo-Pacific is an external frame detached from everyday struggles, leaving civic work more precarious, politicized, and exposed even as its geopolitical relevance grows.
E-paper screenshot-Chanintira

When Non-Violence Fails: The Challenges of Resolving Conflicts in Southeast Asia

Published: 3 November 2025
Southeast Asia promotes peace through non-violent principles, yet its progress remains uneven. ASEAN’s norms, cooperation, and diplomacy have shaped a delicate culture of peace, but the principle of non-interference still limits collective action. This publication explores how ASEAN states navigate the balance between non-violence, national interests, and regional stability.
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Current Electoral Processes in Southeast Asia

Published: 20 November 2023
Book
Current Electoral Processes in Southeast Asia - Regional Learnings follows on from a seminar organised by IRASEC and Heinrich Böll Stiftung-Southeast Asia Regional Office, hosted by the Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University and with the support of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, who provided a simultaneous translation in Thai language. 
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Loss and Damage: Perspectives from Southeast Asia

Published: 19 December 2022
Policy Brief
According to the Global Climate Risk Index, among the top ten countries at risk to climate-related extreme weather events, three (3) countries are from Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand). As these climate hazards increase in intensity, outweighing the ability of vulnerable groups and communities to adapt, losses and damages will also increase.
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Feminist Interventions and Emerging Issues in Southeast Asia in the Time of COVID-19

Published: 31 January 2022
This is a Scoping Paper that has mapped out how COVID-19 impacted the activities and interventions of feminist movements in Southeast Asia (SEA). It aims to serve as a starting point for two audiences: those interested in gaining a broad overview of what is happening within this region and those looking to inform future strategies or discussions within the feminist movement.
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COVID-19 Stimulus and Improving Energy Transition in Malaysia: Analysis and Recommendation

Published: 17 January 2022
This research examines Malaysia’s COVID-19 economic recovery plans and the extent to which they support a socially just, clean energy transition in the country. Despite government acknowledgement that a sustainable recovery can help transition to a climate resilient economy, provide jobs, and improve productivity, the study finds that the proportion of financing given to green initiatives in Malaysia’s pandemic stimulus packages is limited.
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More publications about Southeast Asia (15)





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