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
Brookings Report: Historical tensions and contemporary governance challenges in Southeast Asia: The case of Indonesia
Reports
Brookings Report: Historical tensions and contemporary governance challenges in Southeast Asia: The case of Indonesia
In this report published by the Brookings Institution, Ben Bland explains why Western nations need to engage with Indonesia in its own right, not as a part of plan to…
West Papua: The Issue That Won't Go Away for Melanesia
Analyses
West Papua: The Issue That Won't Go Away for Melanesia
West Papuans continue to fight for independence with the support of many Pacific nations. Despite Indonesia’s opposition and the recent impact of COVID-19 on the region, the…
Anchoring the Indo-Pacific
Reports
Anchoring the Indo-Pacific
A report by Premesha Saha, Ben Bland, and Evan A. Laksmana published by the Observer Research Foundation. 
Foreign and Security Policy in the new Malaysia
Analyses
Foreign and Security Policy in the new Malaysia
Malaysia’s foreign and security policy faces myriad challenges, but not much is likely to change under Mahathir Mohamad’s ‘New Malaysia’ framework.
Politics in Indonesia: Resilient elections, defective democracy
Analyses
Politics in Indonesia: Resilient elections, defective democracy
The pressures on Indonesian democracy are not likely to abate under a second-term Jokowi or a Prabowo presidency
‘New’ Malaysia: Four key challenges in the near term
Analyses
‘New’ Malaysia: Four key challenges in the near term
In the aftermath of Malaysia’s momentous regime change, the new government faces a number of challenges to implementing wholesale political reform.
Reinforcing Indonesia–Australia defence relations: The case for maritime recalibration
Analyses
Reinforcing Indonesia–Australia defence relations: The case for maritime recalibration
A maritime realignment of Australia–Indonesia defence relations could shape the broader Indo-Pacific security architecture and provide an additional strategic hedge for…
Indonesia's economy: Between growth and stability
Analyses
Indonesia's economy: Between growth and stability
Indonesia has much economic potential but the trade-off between growth and stability continues to bind its growth ambitions.
ASEAN–Australia relations: The suitable status quo
Analyses
ASEAN–Australia relations: The suitable status quo
Australia’s dialogue partner relationship with ASEAN is more suitable for Australian interests in Southeast Asia than the idea of ASEAN membership.
Getting Singapore in shape: Economic challenges and how to meet them
Analyses
Getting Singapore in shape: Economic challenges and how to meet them
Without bold adjustments, Singapore’s extraordinary economic performance may prove difficult to sustain.
The Jakarta Post
7 February 2023
The Australian Financial Review
7 February 2023
The Straits Times
6 February 2023
The Sydney Morning Herald
6 February 2023
Australian Associated Press
6 February 2023