Unfinished Business: Why Thailand’s Tariff Talks Are a Diplomatic Test
Pongkwan Sawasdipakdi
The Thai government is focused on dealing with the repercussions of the US tariffs on the country. It needs to craft a broader foreign policy narrative.
Articles
Towards a Robust Philippines-Canada Security Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
Don McLain Gill
The Philippines and Canada have deepened their strategic partnership, but there is still some way to go before the relationship approaches levels that Manila enjoys with other regional partners.
Millets: A Potential Crop for Myanmar’s Food-Resilient Future
Phoo Phoo
As Myanmar continues to face moderate hunger level and high rates of malnutrition, the cultivation of millet might go a long way in combating such problems.
Recalibrating Southeast Asia’s Climate and Energy Strategies Amid US Policy Shifts
Angel Hsu|Silvia Landa
The US government has withdrawn globally from climate and clean energy engagement, undermining prospects for clean energy and climate collaboration with Southeast Asia. On the flipside, China’s historic climate-related finance in the region has far outpaced that of the US, particularly in infrastructure-heavy projects. While the loss of US climate finance may not be detrimental in the near-term, it does undermine the region’s support of environmental governance, and civil society and institutional capacity to pursue its climate efforts.
Malaysia as a “Second Palestine”: Dangerous Reframing of Siege Mentality
Sharifah Afra Alatas|Mohd Faizal Musa
Parti Islam SeMalaysia has sought to frame Malay-Muslims in Malaysia as being under “siege” from non-Malay pendatang (immigrants), like the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. This is a dangerous form of false equivalence.
Vietnam’s Memory Diplomacy: Curating the Past for an Uncertain Future
Phan Xuan Dung
Vietnam has stepped up efforts to broaden and deepen memory alliances, enabling its multidirectional foreign policy amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and competing blocs.
Abhisit’s Clean Politics Faces Formidable Odds in Thailand’s Cut-Throat Political Arena
Termsak Chalermpalanupap
Former PM Abhisit’s “clean politics” stance may complicate his Democrat Party’s ability to recruit experienced candidates for the upcoming Thai election and prospects of joining a coalition government.
Malaysia’s Budget 2026: Fiscal Reform or Fragility?
Tricia Yeoh
Malaysia’s 2026 budget continues fiscal reforms but exposes structural fragilities such as heavy operating costs and rising debt. These factors may threaten long-term fiscal stability.
Will the East Coast Son Rise Again? Shafie Apdal and Sabah’s 2025 Election
Vilashini Somiah
Shafie Apdal, long hailed as champion of Sabah’s East Coast, may need to offer more than his “Sabah first” slogan to secure victory in the upcoming state election.
Why Did Indonesia Decide to Buy China’s J-10 Fighter Jet?
Ian Storey
Indonesia’s recent announcement that it was considering buying the China-made J-10 fighter raises more questions than answers.