MRM 29 December 2025- Md Rafid Abrar Miah & Nur Ahmed

Monthly Research Meet (MRM): ASEAN’s Diplomatic Response to the Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict

Presenter: Md Rafid Abrar Miah, Research Officer, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)
Date: 29 December 2025

Overview:
This Monthly Research Meet examined the diplomatic role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in responding to the renewed Thailand–Cambodia border conflict in 2025. The discussion focused on ASEAN’s mechanisms for regional conflict management, the bloc’s recent engagement in diplomatic de-escalation efforts, and its broader implications for Southeast Asian security cooperation.

Key Themes Covered:

1. Historical Context & Conflict Dynamics:
   – Long-standing territorial disputes along the 817 km Thailand–Cambodia border and periodic escalations into armed clashes.
   – Renewed hostilities in late 2025, involving artillery exchanges, rocket fire, and displacement of civilians. (Based on multiple news reports)
2. ASEAN’s Diplomatic Engagement:
   – ASEAN convened a special meeting of foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur in December 2025 to seek a peaceful resolution.
   – Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, played a leading role in mediation efforts, urging both sides to respect ceasefire commitments and engage in dialogue.
   – ASEAN Observer Teams supported monitoring of ceasefire and de-escalation steps.
3. Ceasefire Efforts and Outcomes:
   – A second ceasefire agreement was signed on 27 December 2025, halting major hostilities and involving ASEAN-monitored arrangements.
   – Diplomatic follow-ups included high-level discussions facilitated by external partners (China and the U.S.) aimed at sustaining peace.
4. Diplomatic Challenges and Lessons:
   – ASEAN’s consensus-based approach highlights strengths in regional norm adherence but also reveals limitations when swift action is needed.
   – The crisis underscores the importance of regional cooperation in managing intra-ASEAN disputes and the need for robust conflict-prevention mechanisms.
5. Regional and Global Implications:
   – The conflict tested ASEAN’s centrality in regional security diplomacy and its ability to balance bilateral sensitivities with collective action.
   – Interactions with external powers showcased the interplay between ASEAN’s diplomatic initiatives and broader geopolitical interests.

Conclusion:
The session concluded with reflections on ASEAN’s evolving role in conflict resolution and the strategic importance of institutionalized diplomatic responses for peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

Monthly Research Meet: U.S. Pushes Ukraine Peace Plan – Tensions with Europe and Kyiv

Presenter: Nur Ahmed, Research Officer, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)
Date: 29 December 2025

This Monthly Research Meet analyzed the U.S. diplomatic push for a peace plan in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict and the resulting tensions with European allies and Kyiv. Nur Ahmed examined the key elements of the U.S. plan, including proposed security guarantees, ceasefire mechanisms, and potential territorial arrangements.

The session highlighted how European partners and Ukraine have expressed concerns about aspects of the plan, reflecting broader transatlantic diplomatic challenges. Discussions also focused on the geopolitical implications of U.S.‑led peace efforts, the prospects for multilateral negotiations, and the potential impact on regional and global security dynamics.

The presentation concluded with reflections on strategies for effective conflict resolution and the importance of coordinated international engagement to ensure a sustainable peace in Ukraine.