Southeast Asia faces interconnected challenges from economic pressure, geopolitical rivalry, and technological disruption, but these forces affect its ten economies unevenly. Southeast Asia faces interconnected challenges from economic pressure, geopolitical rivalry, and technological disruption. The region’s diversity means these forces impact economies unevenly. ADVERTISEMENTEconomic pressure, geopolitical rivalry and technological disruption are affecting the region unevenly, reflecting big differences in economic structure, fiscal space and demographic trends. Tariffs, supply chain shifts and competing global partnerships are forcing Southeast Asian economies to balance short-term stability with long-term strategic autonomy.