Lye Liang Fook
Seven ASEAN member states have signed on to China’s “community of shared future” more for mutually beneficial cooperation than because they subscribe fully to the Chinese vision of a new regional order. The remaining three may prefer practical cooperation to enmeshment in China’s grand strategy and discourse.
Le Hong Hiep
Punishment awaits the senior officials who allowed Vietnam’s renewable energy quest to go off the rails, despite its apparent initial success. This policy crisis has the potential to affect other economic sectors if no clear end is in sight.
Gwendolyn Yap
Like Korea’s famous “K-Wave”, Thailand’s media stars and products have gained an Asian audience where Chinese fans dominate. Unlike the Korean trend, however, Thailand’s new “T-Wave” has not gained enough momentum to significantly increase Chinese tourist numbers.
2023 Top 10
Phan Xuan Dung
Vietnam and the Philippines have formed a strategic partnership in the South China Sea. By reinforcing their respective claims to the area, however, they are vulnerable to a wedge strategy by third parties such as China.
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Norshahril Saat
Some countries in Southeast Asia might end up celebrating Hari Raya on different dates, but this should not detract them from the higher goals of Ramadhan.
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Le Hong Hiep
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc might be removed from his position. If online speculation is true, Phuc will become the first Vietnamese president to be ousted while still in office.
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Khairy Jamaluddin
The results of the recent state elections in Malaysia were not unexpected. But the more important thing is Pakatan Harapan’s pursuit of the Malay vote, and what this portends for the coalition going into the next general election.
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Ian Storey
The PLA has increased the number of military exercises conducted with its smaller regional neighbours this year. But the scope, frequency and sophistication of the exercises still lag behind those conducted by the United States.
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Khairy Jamaluddin
Anwar Ibrahim’s ascent to the country’s highest office last year was accompanied by a surge of expectations in his reformist government. One year on, however, his administration has lost some of its shine.
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Chansambath Bong
Cambodia’s reaction to the trilateral nuclear-technology sharing deal between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States can best be described as lukewarm. It would be an oversimplification to say that AUKUS will have no adverse effects on Southeast Asia.