Rethinking ASEAN Cooperation: Fewer Words, More Action
Hoang Thi Ha
Amid rapid geopolitical shifts, ASEAN should focus more on practical outcomes and developing capabilities rather than expending effort on negotiating lengthy statements.
Articles
Thailand’s State Welfare Card Reform: New Phase, Old Challenges
Wannaphong Durongkaveroj
The Thai government is rolling out an ambitious social assistance programme, but it lacks a coherent strategy to identify citizens who are most in need
How Vietnam Is Personalising To Lam Without Building a Personality Cult
Dien Nguyen An Luong
Vietnam is seeking to project a coherent image of To Lam as a revered leader, but this is done short of venturing into personality cult territory.
ASEAN’s Renewed Engagement with Naypyidaw and the Future of Federal Myanmar
Yuyun Wahyuningrum|Sarah Teitt
Is ASEAN on the right path as it works to engage Myanmar?
Why Vietnam Needs Both Concrete and Nature to Fight Floods
Bao Tan-Hoang Nguyen
How can Vietnam design a successful system to combat flooding?
25 Years on, Vanguard Liberal Indonesian Muslim Activists are in Disarray
Ary Hermawan
Jaringan Islam Liberal’s absence of a clear ideological stance is diminishing the movement’s relevance for liberal Indonesians, even as JIL figures remain prominent.
Russia’s Place at ASEAN’s Table: Between Principle and Pragmatism
Joanne Lin
The ASEAN-Russia summit does not mean that Southeast Asia is drifting into Russia’s camp. Its significance lies in the grouping’s desire to preserve room for manoeuvre.
Perikatan Nasional’s Dramatic Denouement: Where to for Bersatu?
Francis E. Hutchinson
The two key parties in the Perikatan Nasional coalition have parted ways. Bereft of resources, this consigns Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to the skid row of Malaysian politics.
Malaysia Should Channel US Trade Representative Section 301 Pressure Into Forced Labour Compliance
Tham Siew Yean
Malaysia should take decisive action in response to the US’ tariff threat for failing to prohibit imports made with forced labour. Eliminating such imports is in everyone’s best interest.
Minority Education, Major Controversy: Malaysia’s Lose-Lose Reform on Chinese Independent Schools
Ooi Kok Hin
A storm in a teacup is brewing over the issue of Malaysia’s Chinese schools, not helped by the government’s mixed signals.