Latest Articles about Southeast Asia

An Ominous Break from the Past in Thailand: Implications of the Red Shirt Revolt

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King Chulalongkorn (Rama IV-1868-1910) is responsible for initiating the modernization process in Thailand.  Enamored with European civilization of the time, especially European economic and scientific gains, King Chulalongkorn embraced European rule of law, capitalism, education, and to a limited extent, politics.  The king even introduced... MORE

Umar Patek: Indonesia’s Most Wanted

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Indonesian authorities killed one of the most wanted members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), Joko Pitoyo (a.k.a. Dulmatin) in a shootout at a Jakarta Internet café on March 10, 2010, (see Militant Leadership Monitor, March 2010; Christian Science Monitor, March 10, 2010). The presence of Dulmatin... MORE

Signs of Growing Islamist Insurgency Create Apprehension in Thailand

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Thai and U.S. officials are preparing for another year of unrest emanating from the continuing insurgency in the Muslim Malay-dominated Thai provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.  Officials are also bracing for violence from the possible spread of the insurgency to neighboring provinces and the... MORE

Quiet in the Sulu Sea: The Elimination of Albader Parad

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Philippine media is reporting that on February 21, 2010, leading Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) commander Albader Parad was killed along with five other fighters on the island of Jolo, in the volatile Sulu archipelago, in a confrontation with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 2nd... MORE

Vietnam is Russia’s Biggest Arms Customer

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It may surprise readers to learn that in 2009 Vietnam was Russia’s best customer for its arms exports (www.defensenews.com, January 21). During 2009, Vietnam bought six Russian kilo-class submarines and 12 Su-30MKK fighters (Hanoi, VNEXpress, December 16, 2009; Kommersant, December 18; Interfax, December 15; RIA... MORE