If you are experiencing a sense that the world has entered an unstable and troubled era you are not alone.

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.

Today we put the spotlight on the United Nations as it turns 80 years old in 2025. Current global crises, such as geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and humanitarian disasters are profoundly testing the UN's existing mechanisms and its capacity to respond effectively.