Philippines
A fast-growing economy anchored by remittances and outsourcing, with a security relationship with Washington that keeps getting tested in new ways.
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Jun- 2026 -26 JuneEarth
The Philippines is building renewable power on Chinese supply chains
With 98% of solar imports from China and residential rates at $0.22 per kilowatt-hour, Manila is trading fuel dependence for manufacturing dependence.
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25 JunePower
South Korea’s arms sales to Southeast Asia remain a vendor relationship, not a partnership
Seoul has doubled its share of global defense exports in five years, but converting frigate and fighter deals into lasting strategic ties requires training and co-production work it has not…
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25 JuneCapital
Southeast Asia is locking itself into Chinese EVs
Laos banned petrol car imports through 2026, while Thailand and the Philippines cut tariffs to zero, creating a policy-built market that Chinese manufacturers are flooding with 448,000 vehicles monthly.
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23 JuneTech & AI
Lazada cuts staff again. Better process changed nothing.
The Alibaba-owned platform laid off 5% of its Southeast Asia workforce on June 23, 2026, this time consulting Singapore's union first—yet the outcome remained identical to the unannounced 2024 cuts.
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23 JuneEarth
El Niño and Middle East chaos could starve Southeast Asia this year
NOAA confirmed El Niño conditions on June 13, while Hormuz instability threatens 70% of the region's crude imports—two shocks hitting rice farms simultaneously.
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22 JuneCapital
Australia’s wine bet on Southeast Asia, not just China
Southeast Asian exports hit AUD 374 million in 2025, up 11 per cent, as the industry hedges against renewed dependence on a single market after tariffs fell.
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21 JuneLife & Health
Philippines brings home 10,000 workers. The harder test starts after landing.
President Marcos ordered P3 billion for repatriation and reintegration of displaced overseas Filipino workers, but the one-time package cannot address why they were vulnerable in conflict zones to begin with.
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21 JunePower
Asia is arming Japan to balance China, not fear it
Defense deals with the Philippines, Australia, and Indonesia signal regional acceptance of Tokyo's military buildup, even as Beijing warns of remilitarization.
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17 JuneEarth
Iran war exposed Southeast Asia’s energy trap. Now the exit begins.
The IEA projects Southeast Asia's net energy import bill could reach $250 billion by 2035, up from $90 billion in 2023, but the June 2025 Strait of Hormuz disruption is…
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17 JunePower
America’s hospital ship returns to Southeast Asia with a strategic message
The USNS Mercy departed San Diego on May 27 with 300 personnel to visit Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and East Timor over five months, deliberately shifting focus from the…
