Articles

3 May 2018

ASEAN Smart Cities Network: Preparing For the Future

Moe Thuzar

Introduced at the 32nd ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Smart Cities Network aims to improve the lives of ASEAN citizens using technology as an enabler. Comprising 26 pilot cities across all ten ASEAN member states, it is the first step towards regional cooperation in a digital future.

ASEAN Smart CIties

2 May 2018

Seamless ASEAN Sky: Policymakers Need to Look Beyond Obstacles

Sanchita Basu Das

The 32nd ASEAN Summit ended with a commitment towards a Seamless ASEAN Sky. Both the trajectory to open skies across ASEAN member states will see some turbulence. Necessary reforms are needed to make the concept a reality.

25 Apr 2018

President U Win Myint’s Debut at the ASEAN Summit

Moe Thuzar

Myanmar President U Win Myint's debut at the ASEAN Summit will be watched closely. They will compare his performance to Daw Suu's - in particular, how he will address the Rohingya crisis.

ASEAN Myanmar Rohingya

25 Apr 2018

Coming Top Personnel Changes Important for Vietnam’s Political Prospects

Le Hong Hiep

With three Politburo members unable to fulfil their five-year terms due to health or legal issues and one more tipped to be the frontrunner as the next President, the upcoming plenum will be one to watch closely, as the appointment of new members to the Politburo will have important implications for Vietnam's political prospects.

Communist Party of Vietnam Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

6 Apr 2018

What Drives Vietnam’s Public Security Forces Restructuring?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security is embarking on a comprehensive restructuring exercise that will see a leaner and more efficient structure. The restructuring can also be seen as part of Vietnam's ongoing campaign against corruption.

Anti-Corruption Vietnam

5 Apr 2018

A “New Generation” Leader for Myanmar’s National League for Democracy?

Ye Htut

Even though Myanmar's President is both the head of state and head of government, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi is still the de facto leader of Myanmar, with all important policy decisions needing her approval. This heavy burden, along with Ms Suu Kyi's advancing age, may necessitate a shift to a new generation of more pro-active leadership.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics NLD

27 Mar 2018

US Conducts 6th South China Sea FONOP under Trump

Ian Storey

In response to the US' latest Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) exercise, China dispatched two warships to warn off the USS Mustin, and proclaimed the mission to be illegal and provocative. So far, only the US is willing to conduct FONOPs around Chinese-occupied features to challenge Beijing's excessive maritime claims.

FONOPs South China Sea U.S.

15 Mar 2018

China’s New International Development Cooperation Agency and Foreign Aid

Lye Liang Fook

China has created the International Development Cooperation Agency to integrate and strengthen its foreign aid programme, so as to ensure the success of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Whether the IDCA will be able to help achieve these goals remains to be seen.

Belt and Road Initiative China Foreign Aid

5 Jan 2018

Myanmar-China Relations in 2018: Enter the Dragon

Ye Htut

While Western democracies are contemplating sanctions on Myanmar, China has been pursuing closer ties with the country through a series of bilateral visits. With the international pressure over the situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar may find itself increasingly dependent on China.

China China-Myanmar Relations

16 Nov 2017

The ASEAN “Consensus” on Migrant Workers: Not Ideal but a Basis to Continue Working

Moe Thuzar

The fact that Asean has arrived at a consensus on the promotion and protection of migrant workers' rights is a feat in itself. The consensus does not have legal weight, but the expectation is that it would provide some moral suasion for the national implementation of regoinal commitments and the possibility of more mini-lateral initiaitves.

ASEAN Migrant Workers Myanmar