After four years of economic gloom, the Bruneian economy began showing signs of recovery, mainly thanks to improved global oil prices and the fruits of government policies introduced three years ago. In the meantime, the sultan’s seriousness in combating corruption has taken center stage, with young new faces introduced in the recent cabinet reshuffle. Implementation of sharia law remains slow. On the international front, Brunei appears to be moving closer to China, which is emerging as the country’s largest foreign investor.

Laos’ economy declined slightly in 2015, but its political and economic integration with neighboring countries gradually deepened. While China continued to be a key actor in Vientiane’s foreign relations, Laos’ ties with neighboring Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and even Japan and South Korea also strengthened in 2015.

Two sides of the debate on Indonesia's future turn on the tension between sustained economic growth fueled by demand for Indonesia's natural resources and the highly skewed distribution of wealth. With the Indonesia boosters forecasting a vertiginous rise of Southeast Asia's largest economy, the naysayers point to the deadweights of corruption, lack of transparency, and poor governance. With democratic electoralism revived in a post-authoritarian setting, such issues can no longer be swept under the carpet: they are matched by a relatively open media and burgeoning civil society.

During 2010, Vietnam's economy continued its recovery from the global recession. Politically, preparations for the Congress of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam gained momentum. Vietnam's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations dominated in its foreign relations. China remained a major partner and a geo-strategic challenge.

During 2009, Vietnam faced the continued global recession, while its economy started to recover. Domestically, stability prevailed, but the authorities kept a vigilant eye on groups operating outside government-recognized organizations. Vietnam's membership in the U.N. Security Council was a major diplomatic achievement. China remained a major partner and a geostrategic challenge.

Viet Nam in 2008 continued to display a broad dynamic picture of economic development, political and social stability, cultural vitality, and active diplomacy but experienced high inflation and a slowdown in economic growth. While anti-inflation policy brought some relief, high prices remained the largest challenge for social stability and economic development. Despite the setbacks, Viet Nam continued to do well in attracting increasing volumes of foreign tourists and direct investment.

The year 2006 was marked by more entrenched and resilient military rule, which has become increasingly defiant against intense and growing international pressure. The Myanmar government has demonstrated that it plans to remain in power indefinitely and by any means, despite a successful effort by Western powers to place the Myanmar problem on the U.N. Security Council agenda.

Japan's Host Nation Support program represents one characteristic of the U.S.-Japan security relationship in that Japan contributes mainly financially. This article examines how recent events in the relationship might affect Japan's policy decision on the program. It also discusses the prospects for the next Special Measures Agreement and beyond.