17 Sep 2021 Increasing ASEAN’s Attractiveness for Global Investors Phi Minh Hong The race among ASEAN’s economies to attract higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) may be abusing the tax incentive card. ASEAN COVID-19 Economic Development Economic Planning
16 Sep 2021 Myanmar and the United Nations: Fighting for a Seat at the Table Moe Thuzar|Romain Caillaud A China-US pact to retain the envoy at the United Nations appointed by the former National League for Democracy government has effectively deferred the decision as to who will represent the country at multilateral organisations like the UN. ASEAN Myanmar Myanmar Politics
16 Sep 2021 Vietnam and Economic Reopening: Roadmap Needed Tuan Ho Vietnam has been wise to switch from a ‘zero Covid’ strategy to one of living with the coronavirus. But it needs a clear plan to maintain business activity as the economy reopens. COVID-19 Vietnam Vietnamese Economy Vietnamese Politics
15 Sep 2021 Indonesian Militants React to Taliban Takeover Quinton Temby The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has been welcomed in Indonesia’s militant Islamist circles and even among some mainstream figures. Afghanistan Indonesia Islamist Groups Taliban U.S.
15 Sep 2021 Reform of the Thai Police: An Impossible Dream? Punchada Sirivunnabood A recent police scandal has again sparked calls for reform of the Thai police force. There have been numerous attempts in the past, but the key problem is the entrenched relationship between powerful politicians and senior police officers. Thai Military Thai Politics Thailand
14 Sep 2021 Malaysia’s #Kitajagakita Invigorates Political Activism and Tackles Apathy Clarissa Ai Ling Lee A new political movement driven by the grassroots is gaining momentum in Malaysia. Centred on the hashtag #kitajagakita, it embodies ordinary citizens’ responses to crises without political interference and red tape. COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Politics
13 Sep 2021 Ideology Versus Pragmatism: Vietnam’s Statecraft towards China and America Huynh Tam Sang|Pham Do An China is seeking to drive a wedge between Hanoi and Washington, even as Vietnam-US relations continue to flourish. Hence, Vietnam’s striking a balance between its ideological cohesiveness with China and pragmatic ties with the US is being put to the test. China Indo-Pacfic U.S. U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vaccine Diplomacy Vietnam
9 Sep 2021 Deepening US-Vietnam Ties: Less Geopolitics, More Human Security Phan Xuan Dung Discussions about the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United States typically centre on the geopolitical aspects. A more meaningful way of developing the relationship is actually in the field of human security. U.S. U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam
7 Sep 2021 Buy Now Pay Later in Vietnam: Expectations and Challenges Ahead Nicolas Lainez|Trịnh Phan Khánh The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) fintech segment has promising prospects in Vietnam. But care must be taken to mitigate against potential pitfalls for less financially literate consumers. Southeast Asia Vietnam Vietnamese Economy
6 Sep 2021 Easier Monetary Policies Amid Covid-19: Maintain, Not Roll Back Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy|Neo Guo Wei Kevin Southeast Asia economies have maintained easier monetary policies to cushion the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that prices are trending upward, they should think twice before tightening the policies. ASEAN COVID-19 Southeast Asia
