Gen Z Got Fair Elections in Bangladesh—but Got Crushed at the Ballot Box | Council on Foreign Relations Student protesters succeeded in toppling the Bangladeshi government in 2024, but a landslide victory for the establishment BNP party shows that Gen Z is still struggling to turn demonstrations into su...

My latest for
@CFR_org : Gen Z helped topple Sheikh Hasina but got nowhere at the ballot box

www.cfr.org/articles/gen...

As Indonesia’s Protests Roil On, Prabowo’s Crackdown Could Escalate Violence Motivated by growing economic inequality and government corruption, Indonesians have been protesting across the country for weeks. Under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, harsh crackd…

My latest for @CFR_org on the Indonesian protests and how the bloodshed could get much worse.

www.cfr.org/blog/amidst-...

PODCAST | The President's Inbox: The Thai-Cambodian Border Clash Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Camb...

Have a listen to my interview on where Thai-Cambodia relations go now with
@JamesMLindsay
for The President's Inbox at on.cfr.org/4lX9U3f via
@CFR_org

Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Help Revive Hun Sen’s Power Despite ceding power to his son in 2023, Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen has continued to dominate the country's domestic and foreign policy. The most recent border conflict with Thailand ha…

"Despite ceding power to his son in 2023, Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen has continued to dominate the country's domestic and foreign policy. The most recent border conflict with Thailand has helped revive his power once again," writes @joshkurlantzick.bsky.social.

Displaced residents and concerned citizens appeal for peace amid the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict "De-escalation is crucial to preventing a broader humanitarian crisis and restoring stability for communities on both sides."

Displaced residents and migrant workers appeal for peace amid the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, my latest piece for @globalvoices.org

globalvoices.org/2025/07/31/d...

The Real Reasons for the Thai-Cambodia Conflict While long-standing border disputes explain some of the current violence between Thailand and Cambodia, the conflict’s escalation is primarily driven by Thai elites’ drive to consolidate military and…

Why are Thailand and Cambodia really fighting? Its not necessarily what you think - for @CFR_org

www.cfr.org/blog/real-re...

Will Southeast Asia Help Trump Build a Wall Against Chinese Exports? President Donald Trump’s strategy of using Southeast Asian nations as an economic “wall” against Chinese exports has attracted renewed attention after the apparent finalization of a U.S.-Vietnam trad…

rump wants Asian partners to help isolate China, but most just won't. With Annabel Richter, our assessment for
@CFR_org
of Trump's plan to wall of China Will Southeast Asia Help Trump Build a Wall Against Chinese Exports? on.cfr.org/4eOui3H via
@CFR_org

Is a Coup Coming Soon in Thailand? Are signs pointing to a coup in Thailand?

Josh Kurlantzick of @cfr.org warns a coup may be coming in Thailand. www.cfr.org/article/coup...

Is a Coup Coming Soon in Thailand? Are signs pointing to a coup in Thailand?

Title is pretty much explanatory in my latest piece: Is a Coup Coming Soon in Thailand? on.cfr.org/4ejBp3W via
@CFR_org

What Next for the Trump Effect on Foreign Policy and Foreign Elections? Parties that are firm with President Trump are reaping major electoral rewards.

What Next for the Trump Effect on Foreign Policy and Foreign Elections? on.cfr.org/3S6Q2gQ via
@CFR_org

Is ASEAN Leaving the U.S. Behind on Trade? The Southeast Asia trade group, China, Japan, and South Korea said they will work closely together due to “escalating trade protectionism.” Three CFR fellows explain how their U.S. relationship will …

Is ASEAN Leaving the U.S. Behind on Trade? A chat with my colleagues
@Brad_Setser
and Rebecca Patterson on.cfr.org/4k1PQv3 via
@CFR_org

Is ASEAN Leaving the U.S. Behind on Trade? The Southeast Asia trade group, China, Japan, and South Korea said they will work closely together due to “escalating trade protectionism.” Three CFR fellows explain how their U.S. relationship will …

Is ASEAN Leaving the U.S. Behind on Trade? A chat with my colleagues
@Brad_Setser
and Rebecca Patterson on.cfr.org/4k1PQv3 via
@CFR_org

Why East Asia Is a Target of Trump’s Tariff War, in Six Charts President Donald Trump’s proposed “reciprocal” tariff plan places some of the highest tariff levels on East Asian countries—many of which depend on U.S. markets to grow their economies.

Why has Trump focused on several East Asian countries wit his tariff battle? Read this Digital project (thanks to Digital) : Why East Asia Is a Target of Trump’s Tariff War, in Six Charts on.cfr.org/3YMmVTV via @CFR_org

A Tale of Two Elections: Trump Casts Shadow Over Australia and Singapore Incumbent parties in Australia and Singapore scored unexpected landslide victories on Saturday. A major factor appeared to be voters' trust that they were best equipped to handle President Donald Tru…

My latest for @CFR_org on the results in Singapore and Australia and the massive Trump effect: A Tale of Two Elections: Trump Casts Shadow Over Australia and Singapore on.cfr.org/4d0MTsF via @CFR_org

The ‘Trump Effect’ on Elections Is Just Beginning, Including in Japan The U.S. president’s rhetoric and tariffs fuel political shifts in key global polls.

Happened again, this time in Australia: The ‘Trump Effect’ on Elections Is Just Beginning, Including in Japan on.cfr.org/4jwFcfZ via @CFR_org

Singapore Holds an Election Amidst a World at (Trade) War Singapore's ruling party faces domestic and economic headwinds ahead of upcoming elections.

How will the chaotic trade environment impact Singaore, whre the opposition is making real gains. Singapore Holds an Election Amidst a World at (Trade) War on.cfr.org/3Gmov8q via
@CFR_org

The 'Trump effect' on elections is just beginning, including in Japan Since his inauguration, the new U.S. president seems to be creating a “Trump effect” on many, though not all, foreign elections.

My latest on Trump impacting elections all over the world, but not in ways he want. (Singapore section being updated.) The 'Trump effect' on elections is just beginning, including in Japan
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...

Singapore Holds an Election Amidst a World at (Trade) War Singapore's ruling party faces domestic and economic headwinds ahead of upcoming elections.

How will the chaotic trade environment impact Singaore, whre the opposition is making real gains. Singapore Holds an Election Amidst a World at (Trade) War on.cfr.org/3Gmov8q via
@CFR_org

Australia’s Upcoming Elections and the Trump Factor Despite widespread dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s performance, the Labor Party is likely to win re-election in Australia due to political backlash against Donald Trump’s polic…

My analysis of the upcoming Australian election and how Trump is undermining the conservatives. Australia’s Upcoming Elections and the Trump Factor on.cfr.org/4cvwMmw via
@CFR_org

Vietnam Scrambles in a Tariff Bind Despite Vietnam’s strategic importance and early concessions, it has become the most vulnerable target of the Trump administration’s tariffs—and now faces an uphill battle to protect its economy and …

Vietnam is the big Asian economy with few defenses against tariffs. They hate being pushed to the wall or feeling like a colony again. But they have no choice here. My latest for @CFR_org Vietnam Scrambles in a Tariff Bind on.cfr.org/3FYE1Y5 via @CFR_org

Vietnam Scrambles in a Tariff Bind Despite Vietnam’s strategic importance and early concessions, it has become the most vulnerable target of the Trump administration’s tariffs—and now faces an uphill battle to protect its economy and …

Vietnam is the big Asian economy with few defenses against tariffs. They hate being pushed to the wall or feeling like a colony again. But they have no choice here. My latest for
@CFR_org
Vietnam Scrambles in a Tariff Bind on.cfr.org/3FYE1Y5 via
@CFR_org

Will the Earthquake Affect Politics and War in Myanmar? The massive earthquake in Myanmar has exacerbated the country’s existing crises, and will likely worsen instability rather than lead to peace.

My latest on the possible broader ramifications of the Myanmar earthquake for
@CFR_org Will the Earthquake Affect Politics and War in Myanmar? on.cfr.org/445PdvJ via @CFR_org

Just When Things Couldn’t Possibly Get Worse in Myanmar, They Do Myanmar, already devastated by political turmoil and humanitarian crises, faces further catastrophic consequences from a massive earthquake, exacerbating its status as a failed state.

My latest for
@CFR_org
on the Myanmar earthquake and its enormous power in a country already a failed state Just When Things Couldn’t Possibly Get Worse in Myanmar, They Do on.cfr.org/3FIMjD4 via
@CFR_org

Just When Things Couldn’t Possibly Get Worse in Myanmar, They Do Myanmar, already devastated by political turmoil and humanitarian crises, faces further catastrophic consequences from a massive earthquake, exacerbating its status as a failed state.

My latest for
@CFR_org
on the Myanmar earthquake and its enormous power in a country already a failed state: Just When Things Couldn’t Possibly Get Worse in Myanmar, They Do on.cfr.org/3FIMjD4 via
@CFR_org

Autocratic leaders "are taking their most authoritarian actions yet against opposition, media, and civil society, knowing the United States does not care."

Yes, this is a crucial observation in 'the new world order'.
A must read piece by @joshkurlantzick.bsky.social for @cfr.org

#DefendDemocracy

Duterte Arrested and Appears at the ICC—His Aura is Broken Given his previously untouchable status, the arrest and potential prosecution of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a surprising development.

Given his previously untouchable status, the arrest and potential prosecution of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court is a surprising development, writes @joshkurlantzick.bsky.social.

Trump’s Cuts to Democracy Promotion Like the NED Already Hit Asian Organizations Hard The Trump administration has significantly reduced U.S. foreign assistance for democracy promotion,  weakening critical support structures in regions like Southeast Asia.

"The drastic drawdown of National Endowment for Democracy grants and other democracy promotion support has already had major implications in Southeast Asia and other regions," writes my colleague @joshkurlantzick.bsky.social for @cfr.org: www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-...

Trump’s Cuts to Democracy Promotion Like the NED Already Hit Asian Organizations Hard The Trump administration has significantly reduced U.S. foreign assistance for democracy promotion,  weakening critical support structures in regions like Southeast Asia.

Trump’s Cuts to Democracy Promotion Like the NED Already Hit Asian Organizations Hard on.cfr.org/4bpdZbU via @CFR_org

Trump’s Cuts to Democracy Promotion Like the NED Already Hit Asian Organizations Hard The Trump administration has significantly reduced U.S. foreign assistance for democracy promotion,  weakening critical support structures in regions like Southeast Asia.

Trump’s Cuts to Democracy Promotion Like the NED Already Hit Asian Organizations Hard on.cfr.org/4bpdZbU via @CFR_org

U.S. Soft Power Is Spiraling in Asia, With China Filling the Void The Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. foreign aid apparatus has created a vacuum that China is rapidly filling, increasing its influence and soft power in regions like Southeast Asia.

In Southeast Asia and many other developing regions, it is China’s time now, writes @joshkurlantzick.bsky.social.