Articles

28 Jun 2021

Give It Another Shot, Uncle Sam

Charles Dunst

As it pertains to Washington’s relations with Southeast Asia, the Biden Administration is not faring much better than its predecessor. A low-hanging fruit would be the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

25 Jun 2021

Indonesia’s Covid-19 Surge: Contradictions and Criticism

Max Lane

Indonesia’s latest Covid-19 surge has piled pressure on the Widodo government, which is under pressure to reconsider some form of lockdown to rein in the spread of the coronavirus.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia Islam Religion

25 Jun 2021

Major Parties Lacking Candidates with a Winning Chance in Bangkok’s Gubernatorial Election

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The election for the post of governor of Bangkok is due to take place in the last quarter of this year. However, Thailand’s major political parties lack suitable candidates with realistic chances of victory.

Thai Military Thai Politics Thailand

24 Jun 2021

Southeast Asia and Food Price Inflation: Double Whammy

Paul Teng

Across the world, climate change and Covid-19 disruptions have led to rising food prices in the past year. Southeast Asian countries, which have not been immune to such challenges, need to build resilience in their food security policies.

ASEAN Climate Change COVID-19 Southeast Asia

23 Jun 2021

A Storm in a Teacup: The Politicisation of Hajj Cancellation in Indonesia

Syafiq Hasyim

The run-up to hajj 2021 saw the opponents of the Jokowi government opportunistically exploiting the issue to undermine the government. This reflects poorly on the quality of political debate in Indonesia today.

COVID-19 Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam Islamist Groups

22 Jun 2021

Thailand’s Hazy Problem – Challenges in Passing Clean Air Legislation

Wichuta Teeratanabodee

The Thai government’s approach to Thailand’s longstanding haze problem needs more than just short-term measures. But legislative and political obstacles stand in the way of successfully passing the laws required to address the issue.

Environment Southeast Asia Thai Politics Thailand

18 Jun 2021

Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong: The Rising Influence of Muslim Mainstream Groups

Syafiq Hasyim

The banning of FPI (Front Pembela Islam) in December 2020 may have reduced the incidence of vigilante actions in Indonesia. But this belies the fact that mainstream Muslim organisations have increasingly stepped in to uphold more conservative Islamic strictures, albeit through less confrontational ways.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam Islamist Groups