Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flare with rhythmic predictability. Every few years, a clash, standoff, or troop movement reignites nationalist sentiment and triggers hurried diplomacy. Quick fixes follow—some bilateral, some externally encouraged—but calm rarely endures. The pattern is clear: the conflict recurs because the system governing it remains unchanged.

Competition for power and influence in Southeast Asia is nothing new, writes Joseph Liow, the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Non-Resident International Fellow. Unity between Southeast Asian states is key to maintaining the region’s independence.

Southeast Asia now finds itself at the heart of a growing storm. As the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China intensifies, ASEAN nations are navigating a delicate balance between two competing powers. Today, we speak with LKYSPP Professor Khong Yuen Fong, Li Ka Shing Professor in Political Science and Co-Director of Centre on Asia and Globalisation, about his work, examining how ASEAN is managing this rivalry and what the shifting global order means for the region's future.

The year, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the global evolution of 5G. Since its commercial debut in 2019, 5G has matured significantly—but what distinguishes 2025 is the powerful convergence of two forces: the scaling of 5G infrastructure and the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI). Together, they are unlocking unprecedented opportunities for digital transformation.