Introduction The outcome of the recent Dutch elections, with the leading Democrats 66 (D66), may signal a potential reorientation of the Netherlands’ foreign policy toward Asia. D66’s strengthened position in parliament, characterized by socially liberal and progressive values, may reshape the Netherlands' approach to its interactions with Asian states. This article offers a forward-looking analysis of what this shift might mean for Dutch-Asian foreign relations. It asks: based on D66’s past...

The ASEAN leaders pose for a group photo during the Signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN in Malaysia (26/10/2025). From the ASEAN Main Portal . Introduction On the 26th of October 2025, Timor-Leste joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its eleventh member. After more than two decades of diplomacy and persistence, the Southeast Asia region’s youngest nation finally earned a seat at ASEAN’s table. For Timor-Leste, whose modern identity...

Online gambling surges in Indonesia and the Philippines, sparking bans and crackdowns. Explore the risks, regulations, and consequences.