Southeast Asia

Hot Topics

A group of people at a protest, some holding flags and signs, under a cloudy sky with trees in the background.
Sumita Roy Dutta | CC BY-SA 4.0

India’s Cockroach Protests - Gen Z Stands Up To Modi

Remarks by India’s Chief Justice about unemployed youth sparked the viral "Cockroach movement," launched as satire by Abhijeet Dipke. Fueled by youth frustration, the joke party (CJP) gained millions of followers. On July 20, tens of thousands marched on Parliament, facing police violence. The mass protest forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign.

India’s Cockroach Protests - Gen Z Stands Up To Modi
Pray for Rohingya mural painted in black on a white crumbling wall - black scooter parked infront
Flickr | Ittmust

Who are the Rohingya and where can they go?

Since 2017, Rohingya Muslims have been persecuted by the Myanmar army. They argue that they are only fighting Rohingya militants, but many see it as a clear example of ethnic cleansing. They are denied citizenship, excluded from the census, and their villages are destroyed. They are forced to make dangerous escape attempts since Bangladesh is no longer accepting refugees across the border.

Who are the Rohingya and where can they go?
Group of young protesters holding signs against government in Nepal
हिमाल सुवेदी | CC0 1.0

Nepal “Gen Z” protests -

The country was rocked by its most intense protests in modern history, driven by the anger at corruption, nepotism, and rising inequality. The youth-led uprising quickly forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign. After three tense days of negotiations, Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal’s first woman to lead a government. At the heart of the unrest was frustration with entrenched elites, corrupt politicians and their privileged children flaunting wealth online, in a country where youth unemployment (ages 15–24) hit 20.8% in 2024. But this was not just about toppling one leader. For many in Nepal’s young majority, the movement is about rewriting the rules — demanding accountability, fairness, and a political system that secures their future.

Nepal “Gen Z” protests -
Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus smiles at the camera. He is wearing a grey shirt and brown waistcoat
Flickr | University of Salford Press Office

Yunus Interim Government - Bangladesh

Former PM Sheikh Hasina fled the country after weeks of student-led anti-governmental protests escalated and resulted in the deaths of hundreds. An interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus while the country awaits the results of a snap election to take place in the coming months. Protesters made it clear they would not accept a military-led government after years of autocratic rule under the iron fist of Hasina. Under the temporary cabinet which includes Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, students who led the anti-government protests, citizens are hopeful of democratic reform.

Yunus Interim Government - Bangladesh
The image of the Thailand and Cambodia flags, placed side by side, symbolises the current border dispute.
Pikaso | gcarolau

2025 Cambodian–Thai border dispute

The recent escalation of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia began in May when troops from both countries exchanged fire in a disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries. Each government accused the other of violating their sovereignty, claiming to have acted in self-defence. The border dispute dates back to the period of French colonial rule in Cambodia. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple lies within Cambodian territory. However, ambiguity over the surrounding land has led to recurring clashes and rising nationalist sentiment in both countries. In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple itself, but the dispute over adjacent areas remains unresolved.

2025 Cambodian–Thai border dispute
Map of The Disputed Territory in Kashmir: Shown in green is Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. The orange-brown region represents Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir while the Aksai Chin is under Chinese control.
Central Intelligence Agency | Public Domain

2025 Kashmir Strikes

Tensions have escalated in Kashmir after a terrorist attack at a resort in Indian-administered territory left 26 tourists dead. The Resistance Front (TRF), which India claims is linked to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, took responsibility. - In response, India launched strikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing at least 26. Both nations, ranked among the world’s top military powers, possess nuclear weapons—raising international concern over the risk of further conflict in a long disputed and volatile region.

2025 Kashmir Strikes
Photo of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in front of a Pakistani flag.
Jawad Zakariya via Flickr | CC BY-SA 3.0.

Arrest of Imran Khan

On 9 May, Pakistan's former PM was arrested on alleged corruption charges, sparking mass protests by his supporters. After several army installations were damaged, the current government and army launched an unprecedented crackdown on Khan's supporters, who are being tried in military courts. Pakistan is on the brink of economic collapse following last year's devastating floods. General elections are due to be held this year, but there are fears that they could be delayed by the authorities, citing a lack of funds and the security situation.

Arrest of Imran Khan
Asian man wearing a red tshirt speaks into a microphone
Wikimedia | Patrickroque01

Bongbong Marcos – New President of the Philippines

After a landslide victory in the May 9 election, concerns about the consequences for democracy in the country are widespread. Hailing from a notorious political family, his father's corrupt and brutal dictatorship ended in just 1986. The family have spent decades attempting to wipe clear this legacy through disinformation campaigns and publicity via social media. Lack of accountability for their misdeeds has angered campaigners, and the world will be closely watching developments concerning the economy, civil liberties, and press freedom.

Bongbong Marcos – New President of the Philippines

Indian Farmers' Protest

After more than a year of uninterrupted protests and the deaths of several farmers, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to repeal the three controversial farm laws that sparked the public outcry. The laws were passed in September 2020, after parliament claimed the laws would strengthen farmers' rights, but major trade unions and opposition politicians claimed they would give more power to big business in particular. Farmers formed a large movement called "Dilli Chalo" and organised general strikes and a protest march to Dehli with millions of participants.

Indian Farmers' Protest
Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in April 2022 in front of the Presidential Secretariat. Many protesters wav flags and demand a solution to their desperate economic crisis.
AntanO | CC BY-SA 4.0

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis

The worsening crisis has caused a divided society to unite against the government. Protests began peacefully but have turned violent in the face of repression, to the point where thousands of protesters invaded President Rajapaksa's house and he was forced to flee. Inflation has made basic goods unaffordable, and food and medicine are in short supply. Fuel shortages are so widespread that the government has suspended sales to ordinary citizens, as there is not enough for essential services such as buses and ambulances.

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis
Map of the partition of India showing the movement of refugees and conflict areas
Wikimedia | CC 4.0

Partition of India (1947)

This month marks 75 years since the division of British India and the subsequent creation of the two separate states of India and Pakistan. British withdrawal prompted the painful divide which was violent and deadly. It forced people to identify with a particular region, and caused the biggest migration event of the century. The concept of ‘martial races’ was born, which led to false ideas of racial purity. Religious violence, insecurity, forced conversions, arson, and sexual violence became rife within communities and even families. Tensions and divisions still exist even today, especially over disputed areas such as Kashmir.

Partition of India (1947)
Huge crowds gather in the centre of Hong Kong all carrying umbrellas
Flickr | Studio Incendo

The Hong Kong National Security Law

On June 30th 2020, this controversial new law was imposed on Hong Kong by the government of China. Many countries have criticised the harsh law which includes severe penalties for protesting, demands for independence, and slandering of the Chinese government. It takes control away from Hong Kong, curtails free speech, and many see it as a loss of idendity.

The Hong Kong National Security Law

Myanmar coup

On February 1st, 2021 a coup was carried out in Myanmar. The military arrested political leaders including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, shutting off the internet and showing presence in the streets. A state of Emergency was declared for one year and the power was handed over to the commander-in-chief of the army, General Min Aung Hlaing. As a result, the military, which had been in power since 1962, regains full control of the country after a de facto democracy since 2011.

Myanmar coup
Two red and blue North Korea flags flying in the wind on a string with a block of grey buildings in the background
Flickr | (Stephan)

The political restraints in North Korea

As the leader of one of the world’s most repressive states, Kim Jong-Un is enjoying his 8th year of total political control. Freedom of expression, religion, political opposition, independent media, and even trade unions are all restricted. Learn more here about U.S war threats, nuclear weaponry, and much more about this secretive government.

The political restraints in North Korea