Southeast Asia was a crucial theatre during the Second World War between the Japanese Empire and the Allied powers. Then followed the Cold War, which spread throughout most of Southeast Asia and was particularly destructive in Cambodia, Lao...
The recent visit to Southeast Asia in December by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, marks the first official visit to the region by a high-ranking diplomat since President Joe Biden took office early this year. His maiden tour bega...
It's next to impossible to have a state in the vicinity of China that has remained untouched by conflict concerning the South China Sea. Indonesia is amongst it, but it’s cause has been far more entangled and unique than others. It primaril...
Japan and Indonesia’s 2+2 dialogue reached another high point when the defense and foreign ministers of the two countries came together to sign the much-awaited arms trade agreement facilitating exchange and operability in the region. Japan...
China’s increasing military build-up in South China Sea islands under its control has become a matter of global concern. The militaristic approach and the assertive posture adopted by China has few intrinsic objectives. China has been condu...
There is no specific international law regulating use of force, and when it comes to maritime disputes, China has exploited the loophole to strengthen the coastguard by passing the new legislation. The law was adopted by the standing commit...
Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi – KPK) arrested Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo along with other seven suspects on graft allegation on 25 November 2020. This arrest may invite comments o...
In the last week of February 2020, Indonesia's government approved the defence agreements which were previously formed with United States of America. Many scholars across the world have hailed this development as a significant step in Indon...
President Jokowi hosted the Indian Ocean Rim Association's Leaders' Summit in March 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia entitled "Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Indian Ocean". This event was significant in t...
China’s construction activity in the Sihanoukville port in Cambodia as part of One Belt One Road Initiative, and the adjoining development of a large air strip at Ream military base has garnered international media attention. In late 2019, ...
China imposed the universal fishing ban in the South China Sea starting from May to mid-August for all fishermen from the Spratly islands claimant countries. Imposing a ban on fishing during catch season impacts the livelihood of fishermen....
On April 17th 2020, at the PLA website, China designated two of the occupied islands groups- Spratlys and Paracels as its two new districts under the Sansha city administration located in Hainan. The two groups of islands have been named as...
