Southeast and East Asia
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. In Southeast and East Asia, we have offices in Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila, Seoul, Taipei, and Malaysia. The FNF regional team works with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, Collective of Applied Law and Legal Realism (CALR), a pro bono initiative by AmerBON Advocates, and the ASEAN Prosperity Initiative, which is part of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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“Fighting Starts When Talking Stops”: The South China Sea Conflict in the Light of a New US Foreign Policy
Donald Trump's second term in office is causing unrest in the Pacific. Many countries bordering the South China Sea fear that US support will wane and that China's behaviour could become even more aggressive. Will Trump's isolationism also affect the Indo-Pacific region, giving China ‘free rein’?
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CALD Hosts Conference on South China Sea Disputes Amid Trump 2.0 Presidency
The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), a regional network of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia, successfully hosted their high-profile regional conference, “South China Sea Disputes Under Trump 2.0: Finding a Common Ground Among Claimant States,” on 3 April 2025, at Miriam College, Quezon City. The event brought together leading experts, policymakers, and scholars to tackle pressing issues surrounding the South China Sea, including escalating geopolitical tensions, regional security, and the future of diplomatic negotiations.
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Impeachment in the Name of Democracy
South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously removed President Yoon Suk-Yeol from office. He had declared martial law, but had failed. New elections are to be held. They offer the opportunity to defuse the political crisis.
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Will the BRICS States or Donald Trump Reshape the Liberal World Order?
The liberal world order is under pressure: while the BRICS states are building alternative structures, Trump is pursuing an ‘America First’ policy. Who will shape the future of the global order?
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7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand, Thousands Feared Trapped
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand, killing over 1,600 people. International aid is on the way, but damaged infrastructure is hampering rescue and supply measures.
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Arrest of Rodrigo Duterte: A Step Towards Accountability
On March 11, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity. This development marks a significant milestone in the ICC's over eight-year investigation into the thousands of deaths linked to Duterte's "war on drugs”.
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CALD hails Duterte's Arrest as a Step Towards Justice
CALD considers the arrest of Duterte as a testament that no one is above the law and that justice eventually finds its way to address impunity and blatant disregard for human rights. At the conclusion of the ICC trial, we are hopeful that justice will finally be served to thousands of victims of the deadly drug war.
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