Keyword: Laos

Asia Society's Suzanne DiMaggio tells media outlets that Hillary Clinton's focus in Southeast Asia shows the U.S. is interested in touting its non-military interests in the region.

A driver waiting for customers in his tuk-tuk, an automobile rickshaw, in Vientiane, Laos on February 18, 2012. (Franc Pallarès López/Flickr)

2011 in Southeast Asia saw a number of micro-disputes that haven’t yet escalated into full-fledged conflict. Much of the current disagreement is based upon historical rivalries and domestic political insecurities, while weak governance in the region continues to be a source of worry.

Laos recently announced that it would like to begin construction on the $3.8 billion Thai-financed Xayaburi hydropower plant on the Mekong River by the end of this year. This is following a change in the design made to quell protests from neighboring countries. How can countries in Asia work together to ensure that major projects like this one do not do irreparable damage to river systems in the region? What is the best forum for cooperation?