Southeast Asia last week grappled with intensified border disputes, persistent insurgencies, deradicalisation challenges, and evolving peace efforts across multiple fronts.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated as Thailand shut tourist crossings and reduced border hours amid a territorial dispute, prompting troop reinforcements on both sides. Despite the friction, both nations agreed to hold bilateral talks the following week after Cambodia warned of taking the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Thailand called for cross-regional cooperation to tackle transnational security threats. Meanwhile, Israel recovered the body of a Thai hostage from Gaza, drawing renewed attention to the vulnerability of Thai migrant workers in Middle Eastern conflict zones. Late addition on June 10: Two bombs exploded in the southern province of Pattani late Sunday, but nobody was injured in the insurgent bombings.

In the Philippines, armed clashes and counterinsurgency operations intensified across several regions. Six communist insurgents were killed, and three key leaders were arrested in Northern Samar, Negros Occidental, Mindanao, and Cagayan de Oro. A former rebel surrendered in Agusan del Sur and disclosed the locations of hidden arms caches, while another earned a university degree in fashion design, reflecting rehabilitation efforts. Authorities were urged to investigate alleged links between youth groups and communist rebels, and the military enlisted community frontliners to help counter recruitment strategies. In the south, seven pro-Islamic State fighters surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte. The government also set the date for the Bangsamoro polls on 13 October, as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) renewed its call for Sulu’s reintegration into the Bangsamoro region. Seven towns in Leyte province moved closer to being declared insurgency-free.

Indonesia confronted the legacy of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and broader radicalism concerns. Former JI leader Para Wijayanto was conditionally released from prison, while a counterterrorism official revealed how JI and Al-Qaeda nearly seized power…