By Jane Lee — According to the South Korean Ministry of Unification, the number of North Koreans entering South Korea annually has decreased over time since the late 2000s. The continued dramatic decline was observed since Kim Jong-un assumed power…
By Amy Searight — In this two-part series, Dr. Amy Searight, senior adviser and director of the CSIS Southeast Asia Program, previews five key issues to watch in Southeast Asia in 2020. This installment addresses U.S.-ASEAN relations, climate change and…
By Jack Caporal & Jonathan Lesh — Nearly one year after its entry into force, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has yielded a mixed bag of benefits to its 11 signatories. Trade flows have boomed between some…
By Kim Mai Tran & Audreyna Tjiptardjo — Southeast Asia is home to a booming digital economy and rapid mobile growth. With about 400 million users among ASEAN’s total population of 630 million, the region’s digital users are more numerous…
By Kim Mai Tran — Southeast Asia’s healthcare industry is at a crucial crossroad. Economic development and disposable income have increased the demand for quality healthcare; demographic changes, the emergence of new chronic diseases and health challenges, and the…
By Kim Mai Tran — The movement by all Southeast Asian economies to embrace the “digital revolution” presents a tremendous opportunity to empower women, especially financially. Intentional and unintentional biases against women in the region have, for too long, excluded…
By Kim Mai Tran & Andreyka Natalegawa — In recent years, urban centers have become a focal point of development in ASEAN member states. With over 40 percent of Southeast Asia’s population based in cities, leaders from across the region…
By Sue Mi Terry & Lisa Collins — On February 27 and 28, U.S. president Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a second bilateral summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. The summit was cut short abruptly in the…
By Brian Harding — Southeast Asia is home to many of China’s most high-profile Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, including Kyakpyu port in Myanmar, a high-speed railway in northern Laos, and now-stalled rail and pipeline projects in Malaysia. While…
By John Hemmings — This year has been marked by the return of British naval power to the Indo-Pacific. For the first time since 2013, the United Kingdom (UK) deployed warships to the region, not only consecutively deploying three vessels…