Programs & Projects

The Southeast Asia Program

The Southeast Asia Program

The Southeast Asia Program aims to explain the latest developments in this vital region, inform and influence policymakers, and help build connections across countries and sectors. At a time of intensifying great-power competition in the region, it is more important than ever to understand the diverse nations of Southeast Asia in their own right and how they interact with each other and outside states. We organise regular events, roundtables and online engagements with leading policymakers and experts focusing on Southeast Asia. We also contribute to the Lowy Institute’s core research publications.

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Director, Southeast Asia Program
Director of Research
Lowy Institute Lead Economist; Director, Indo-Pacific Development Centre
Senior Fellow, Southeast Asia Program
Research Fellow, Southeast Asia Program
Nonresident Fellow
The burning questions Hegseth left unanswered on the China challenge
Commentary
The burning questions Hegseth left unanswered on the China challenge
Originally published in The Australian Financial Review
Malaysia’s Silent Military Buildup on Borneo
Commentary
Malaysia’s Silent Military Buildup on Borneo
Originally published in The Diplomat
Xi Jinping's victory lap in Southeast Asia
Commentary
Xi Jinping's victory lap in Southeast Asia
Originally published in NikkeiAsia
History teaches us 'land for peace' deals do not end well
Commentary
History teaches us 'land for peace' deals do not end well
Originally published in Nikkei Asia
Storm clouds gather over ASEAN as it enters 2025
Commentary
Storm clouds gather over ASEAN as it enters 2025
Originally published in East Asia Forum
Quad summit shows strengths and limits of Biden’s foreign policy
Commentary
Quad summit shows strengths and limits of Biden’s foreign policy
Originally posted in The Straits Times
Partnership of convenience: Ream Naval Base and the Cambodia–China convergence
Analyses
Partnership of convenience: Ream Naval Base and the Cambodia–China convergence
While China is pouring resources into Ream Naval Base, the West must continue to engage Phnom Penh to counter Beijing's influence in the kingdom.
Power in Asia: Pivots, paper tigers and regional poles
Power in Asia: Pivots, paper tigers and regional poles
As great power competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, so too has contestation over power-transition narratives. On the one hand, there are those that see US power in steep…
The Australian Financial Review
2 June 2025
Channel News Asia
29 May 2025
The Sydney Morning Herald
13 May 2025