Report Summary

This report presents a thorough examination of the current geopolitical and security environment of the Asia Pacific Region, with an emphasis on developments in Afghanistan, North Korea, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Thailand.

In recent weeks, insurgencies, corruption probes, heightened security measures, economic reforms, and severe weather events dominate headlines. Afghanistan reports fatal bus accidents, while North Korea tightens border controls. Myanmar’s new defense minister faces escalating conflicts in Rakhine. Bangladesh grapples with large-scale graft allegations and expanded Army support for critical infrastructure security. Sri Lanka sees progress in debt restructuring and ratings improvements. The Philippines endures extensive flooding, invests in advanced defense capabilities, and Thailand advances economic stimulus alongside preparations for local polls. Overall, humanitarian relief, diplomatic initiatives, and economic policies provide limited stability, though persistent political volatility, insurgencies, and natural disasters underscore the need for sustained vigilance.