The Southeast Asia Desk

The Southeast Asia Desk

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The new travel trigger: Concert-cations in Southeast Asia
Mahek Chhaya, Strategy Director, Media, dentsu Singapore & Jeremy Kuan, Strategy Director, dentsu Malaysia
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Indryan Swarandaru Djamin, and Alvin Qobulsyah
📱🌍 One scan for all: ASEAN cashless tourism 2026
As of April 2026, ASEAN countries have officially entered the era of borderless payments
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Marianne Ayko, Zerlina Brezky, and Elias Widhi
⚽ Four Southeast Asian nations qualify for AFC Asian Cup 2027 as regional football hits new heights
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore secure their places in Saudi Arabia, with the Lions ending a 43-year wait and Vietnam breaking into the FIFA…
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Elias Widhi, and Alvin Qobulsyah
🤖🎓 From users to creators: Teaching youth to harness AI responsibly
Hundreds of students join ASEAN Foundation workshop as part of a regional push to build AI literacy from the ground up
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Mochammad Ade Pamungkas, and Elias Widhi
🇷🇺 Russia’s naval diplomacy in Southeast Asia: between strategy and limitation
From Jakarta’s port call to ASEAN-wide outreach, Moscow signals a broader regional push—while grappling with structural constraints on its influence.
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Indryan Swarandaru Djamin, and Alvin Qobulsyah
Southeast Asia’s cities are beating the global competition
Rankings reveal a shift toward culture, liveability and value
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Nazila Fitri Adinda, and Veronica Berna
🌏 Energy, escalation, and enduring ties: Southeast Asia’s week of hard truths (Week 4 March - Week 1 April, 2026)
From a green energy push to a deepening oil shock, shifting alliances to fallen peacekeepers, the region confronts vulnerability on multiple fronts
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Elias Widhi, and Alvin Qobulsyah
🇺🇳 Indonesia mourns three peacekeepers amid Lebanon escalation
As escalation pushes UN missions into active conflict zones, Southeast Asia’s active peacekeeping role faces new risks.
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Zerlina Brezky, Nugrahanto Margo Raharjo, Aris Satya, Mochammad Ade Pamungkas, Elias Widhi, and Alvin Qobulsyah
🌏 What Southeast Asian think about ASEAN Dialogue Partners?
ASEAN trust and respect for the U.S. weaken, as China’s influence grows amid ongoing reciprocal tariffs
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Nugrahanto Margo Raharjo, and Alvin Qobulsyah

March 2026

🛢️ Southeast Asia scrambles as Strait of Hormuz closure triggers deepening oil crisis
From work-from-home orders to fuel rationing, governments race to conserve energy and shield economies from a geopolitical shock thousands of kilometres…
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Elias Widhi, and Alvin Qobulsyah
🌍⚡ UN Support on SEA Climate Foundations for Green Energy Transition
UN ESCAP Launches ETGTP to Support Energy Transition through Funding on Climate Foundations in Southeast Asia.
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Mochammad Ade Pamungkas, and Alvin Qobulsyah
🌏 Ballots, bans, and boarding passes: Southeast Asia’s week in motion (Week 2-3 March, 2026)
From policy debates and regional diplomacy to Ramadan reflections and travel inspiration, Southeast Asia navigates politics, culture, and the rhythms of…
 • THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DESK, Alvin Qobulsyah, and Elias Widhi
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