Australian trust and warmth towards China have reached record lows, with views souring on almost every aspect of the relationship since 2017. The 2021 Lowy Institute Poll indicates a significant decline in trust in China to act responsibly in the world, with only 16% of Australians expressing trust. Economic coercion by China and concerns over military activities in the region have shifted public perception, with a majority now viewing China as a security threat rather than an economic partner. Despite this, Australians maintain positive views of Chinese people and culture. The majority blame China for the bilateral tensions, and while the Australian government's handling of the relationship receives a mediocre score, there is little indication of a change in public sentiment.

Myanmar faces a high-risk election amid a second wave of COVID-19, with soaring infection rates and a public health system at breaking point. The National League for Democracy (NLD) government and the Union Election Commission (UEC) have imposed restrictions on election campaigning but have dismissed calls for postponement. Opposition parties and health experts have raised concerns about the wisdom of holding an election during a pandemic. Despite the risks, the NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, is determined to proceed, prioritizing the election over the fight against COVID-19. The election's credibility is questioned due to the disenfranchisement of ethnic states, human rights issues, and the potential for post-election unrest if the results are not accepted as free and fair.

The Mekong River, once abundant with fish, is now facing a severe decline in fisheries due to the construction of hydropower dams. Research indicates that dams have a devastating impact on fish populations and biodiversity, challenging the Mekong River Commission's (MRC) promotion of sustainable hydropower. Despite evidence and expert criticism, the MRC continues to support hydropower projects, with fish ladder technology proving ineffective. The MRC's policies have been questioned for not adequately considering the economic and environmental costs of dam construction, which outweigh the benefits. Cambodia has diverged from the MRC's narrative by imposing a moratorium on dam projects, recognizing their significant environmental impact.

The article discusses the construction of the Luang Prabang Hydropower Project (LPHP) near the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Luang Prabang, Laos. Despite warnings from UNESCO and experts about the potential destruction of the site's authenticity and integrity, construction has begun. The dam is being built by Thai developer CK Power, a subsidiary of Ch.Karnchang, and is located in an earthquake-prone area, raising concerns about safety and environmental impact. UNESCO's appeals to halt construction have been ignored, and the Lao government's commitment to economic development through hydropower is criticized as leading to debt and corruption. The article also touches on the Mekong River Commission's (MRC) failure to effectively protect the environment and the conflict between Thailand's energy policy and its UNESCO obligations. The construction of the dam threatens the ecological and cultural wealth of Luang Prabang, potentially turning it from a paradise into a paradise lost.

A Thai-backed hydropower dam is being constructed on the Mekong River near the UNESCO heritage site of Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos. The project aims to export electricity to Thailand but has raised concerns about the impact on the scenic heritage site.

China's support for Myanmar's military regime has facilitated economic initiatives in Shan State, including the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). Despite regional instability and conflicts among ethnic armies, China prioritizes stabilizing the borderlands for economic growth. The United Wa State Army's involvement in drug production and the lack of anti-coup actions by Shan ethnic groups complicate the situation. Chinese investment faces opposition due to environmental concerns and exacerbates anti-Chinese sentiment. The Kokang Special Autonomous Zone, known for criminal activities, is crucial for border trade but poses risks to China's objectives. Amidst these challenges, it is uncertain whether China's investment strategy in Shan State will align with its long-term interests.

The military coup in Myanmar has sparked widespread outrage and a Civil Disobedience Movement, with a multi-ethnic alliance forming to oppose the dictatorship. Despite a brutal crackdown by the military, with over 536 civilian deaths, the resistance persists. The National League for Democracy's leaders were detained, but some parliament members formed the CRPH, claiming to be the legitimate government. International response is mixed, with some countries attending a military parade while others abstain. The U.N. has not recognized the junta, and the struggle for representation at the U.N. General Assembly continues. The article suggests that despite the military's power, historical precedents from other nations show that the determination of the people should not be underestimated.

Conservation experts warn that the Lao government's plan to build a massive dam on the Mekong River near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang could have devastating impacts. The Thai dam developer CH. Karnchang, with a feasibility study by Poyry Energy, has already completed the Xayaburi dam downstream, and the new project could further damage the area's natural and cultural assets. UNESCO's World Heritage Center is pushing for a heritage impact assessment and has reminded Laos of its legal obligations. The formation of a Mekong People’s Council and Thailand's potential invocation of Article 7 of the Mekong Agreement signal growing opposition to the dam projects. UNESCO may remove Luang Prabang's heritage status if the project proceeds, which would be a significant loss for global conservation.

A Thai geologist has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by a new dam being developed by CH Karnchang Plc in an earthquake-prone area of northern Laos. The dam, which would be the largest in Laos with a capacity of 1410 megawatts, threatens the UNESCO-World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, according to the geologist.

John Martinkus' book 'The Road: Uprising in West Papua' highlights the ongoing conflict in West Papua, where indigenous people have resisted Indonesian rule for 50 years. The conflict has escalated with military operations against the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, leading to civilian casualties and refugees. The Indonesian government's narrative of bringing development through the Trans-Papua Highway contrasts with the Papuans' fear of cultural extinction. The book details the struggle for freedom against Indonesia's military and the international community's response, including a petition to the UN Human Rights Council. Martinkus, an Australian journalist, provides an in-depth look at the David-and-Goliath battle over West Papua's future.

Vietnam experienced nationwide protests against the Special Zone Act, which would create special economic zones potentially favoring Chinese investors. The Vietnamese government, while condemning China's actions in the South China Sea, still seeks Chinese investment to boost the economy. Intellectuals, academics, and some National Assembly deputies criticized the government's balancing act between asserting territorial rights and economic cooperation with China. The protests and the government's response, including a new cybersecurity law, have highlighted the tension between Vietnam's nationalistic citizenry and a leadership divided on how to handle China's regional economic dominance.

Vann Molyvann, the architect known as 'the man who built Cambodia,' passed away at 90. In the 1960s, he was instrumental in transforming Phnom Penh into a modern city, creating iconic structures such as the Independence Monument and the National Sports Complex. His work, influenced by Khmer tradition and modernist principles, was part of Cambodia's cultural revival under Prime Minister Norodom Sihanouk. Despite political upheaval and the destruction of some of his works, Molyvann's legacy continues to inspire architects. He was honored with the Légion d'Honneur and a Nikkei Asia prize for culture. He is survived by his wife Trudy, three daughters, and two sons.

Red-shirt supporters in Thailand, led by figures such as Kawang and Supon Fumuljaroen, are preparing to resist a potential army coup and consider setting up a capital in Chiang Mai. The Puea Thai party, supported by Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin, has strong backing in the north and won the last election. Despite the army's vow to stay neutral, tensions are high with recent violence and the UDD claiming to have police support and control over 37 provinces. Observers like Pinkaew Laungaramsri and Pavin Chachavalpongpun offer differing views on the possibility of a sustainable separate state.

The Laotian government's plan to construct the Don Sahong Dam on the Mekong River has sparked ecological concerns among Thai NGOs, experts, and neighboring countries. The dam could disrupt migratory fish routes, leading to higher fish prices and nutritional problems in the region. Despite the controversy surrounding its first dam at Xayaburi, Laos is determined to proceed with Don Sahong. Cambodia and Vietnam are calling for further studies and a moratorium on dam building. The Mekong River Commission is divided, and the dam's future impact on the Mekong's health and its fisheries, which support 60 million people, remains uncertain.

The construction of the Xayaburi dam on the Mekong River by Thai firm CH Karnchang, advised by Finnish engineering giant Poyry, has raised concerns about its potential impact on local populations dependent on the river. Despite assurances from Poyry and Laos Vice Minister of Energy Viraponh Viravong about the dam's minimal impact and the implementation of fish migration systems, experts from the Worldwide Fund for Nature and the World Fish Centre are skeptical. They argue that the dam could threaten the endangered Giant Catfish and other species, as no successful fish pass has been built for a dam of this size in the tropics. Critics also believe that the necessary studies are being rushed, with the dam's construction already 10% complete. The technology being used is considered unproven and experimental, posing a high risk to the livelihoods of 60 million people.

Cambodia's military, spotlighted by clashes at the Preah Vihear temple, relies on private sector subsidies due to a limited budget. The Cambodian defence budget is significantly lower than Thailand's, and corruption within the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces is rampant. Private businesses, including those owned by Mong Reththy and Ly Yong Phat, provide support, which has drawn criticism from Global Witness for perpetuating corruption and human rights abuses. The Cambodian government dismisses these claims as baseless, but the patronage system between the military and private business has become an official policy, raising governance concerns.

Conor Foley's book 'The Thin Blue Line: How Humanitarianism Went to War' critically examines the negative consequences of armed interventions in the name of humanitarianism, using Kosovo as a case study. The book discusses the co-option of NGOs into NATO's war efforts and the problematic nature of the humanitarian aid industry. It also touches on the concept of the 'right to protect' (R2P) and its application in international law, while cautioning against neocolonial perceptions of humanitarian intervention. The review acknowledges the UN's role in conflict resolution but criticizes its bureaucratic failures and quasi-colonial presence in some regions.