Deasy Pane|Dharendra Wardhana
Prabowo’s agenda is being driven by flagship programmes focused on nutrition, state-owned enterprises, and cooperatives. These programmes can complement long-term development, but Indonesia should maintain industrial, technological, and green transition priorities.
Made Supriatma
President Prabowo’s involvement in Trump’s Board of Peace may have given Indonesia some proximity to the US, but his aim of gaining leverage in tariff negotiations is elusive.
Ary Hermawan
This Long Read examines President Prabowo Subianto’s relationship with the various Islamic organisations in Indonesia. While mainstream groups like Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah continue to be considered strategic allies, there has also been greater tolerance of hardline Islamist groups.
Ian Storey
While China wields much influence over Myanmar, Russia plays an outsized role in equipping the country’s military.
Mathis Lohatepanont
The Democrat Party has made a comeback from a near-death experience. But there are still key challenges to overcome.
Max Lane
There’s potentially a new party in town, if it’s not nipped in the bud before the next elections in Indonesia.
Jared Bissinger
The military regime’s efforts to conserve and tap new sources of foreign exchange have improved its financial situation. This benefits the regime and some businesses, though comes at a cost: increased military action, continued trade restrictions, and a depressed economy.
Stephen Olson
The Supreme Court has struck down President Trump’s IEEPA reciprocal tariffs, but the practical outcome on Southeast Asia is likely to be negligible. Further complications arise from his reimposition of tariffs through other means and the potential political fallout in his party.
David Lam
Several Southeast Asian nations are seeking AI sovereignty through home-grown large language models (LLMs) reflecting their cultures and values, aiming to turn regional insight into competitive advantage for local needs.
Hoang Thi Ha|Eugene R.L. Tan
Japan is emerging as a consequential hard-power player, expanding its deterrence and defence-industrial capabilities, as well as its regional and global defence networks. As Japan strengthens its military posture, Southeast Asian states are under mounting pressure to navigate the intensifying Tokyo-Beijing rivalry while carefully managing domestic sensitivities.