The fourth edition of Southeast Asia in the New International Era updates the region at a time of critical change. In the 1990s, Southeast Asia was known as an area of stability and movement toward development and democracy. At the beginning of the millennium, many of the region's nations are undergoing rapid change that belies the standard perception of stability. Since January 2000 Indonesia has democratized and disintegrated simultaneously. The Thai Prime Minister, elected with the largest majority in recent history, faces ouster for alleged corruption. The Vietnamese Communist Party is wracked with dissension about the nation's future. The Burmese military junta is unable and unwilling to meet the needs of the people. The Malaysian Prime Minister has moved toward authoritarian rule after decades of democracy. The Philippines has witnessed "People Power Two" when President Estrada was jailed and his Vice President took over the presidency. These and other recent and fundamental changes are analyzed in the fourth edition.