Paperless Trade in ASEAN: A Long Way To Go
Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy
Digitalising paperless trade across ASEAN will help the grouping strengthen supply chains amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But ASEAN has a long way to go.
Articles
Policymakers’ View
Whatever Happened to the Middle Way?
Teo Chee Hean
In an increasingly fractious world, Singapore and like-minded countries can reclaim the middle ground and build greater consensus and cooperation. Speaking at ISEAS’ 25th Regional Outlook Forum today, Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, spoke of how this can be achieved. The full text of the speech at the online forum is below.
Myanmar’s National Unity Consultative Council: A Vision of Myanmar’s Federal Future
Htet Myet Min Tun|Moe Thuzar
The National Unity Consultative Council has built on earlier models to map out a vision for Myanmar’s federal future. A key challenge would be to gain the trust of ethnic armed groups and political parties towards Bamar-dominated processes.
Myanmar’s Submarines: The Race Is on Between China and Russia
Ian Storey
Last month Myanmar became the first Southeast Asian country to take delivery of a made-in-China submarine. In doing so, China has upped the stakes in its competition with Russia to supply Myanmar with a new fleet of submarines. Price and geopolitics will decide which country wins.
‘Adapting to Nature’: A Preliminary Assessment of Vietnam’s Mekong Water Diplomacy since 2017
Truong-Minh Vu|Tram Nguyen
Vietnam’s water diplomacy since November 2017 reflects the country’s concerns over the Mekong Delta Region’s sustainable development prospects. Treating Mekong issues as a national security matter, Vietnam has mobilised resources for the development of the region and promoted regional cooperation towards a sustainable Mekong River Basin.
The President Versus the Cleric: Managing Conservatives From Within
A'an Suryana|Norshahril Saat
A recent public spat between President Joko Widodo and a prominent cleric underscores how the former is facing challenges in reining in conservatives in his inner circle.
High Vaccination Rates Bring Hope to Vietnam’s 2022 Economic Outlook
Le Hong Hiep|Phan Xuan Dung
High vaccination rates have given Vietnam some latitude in opening up its economy — and some optimism for better GDP growth in 2022.
The ‘Revival’ of PKI: Bogeyman Tactics
Leo Suryadinata
The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) no longer exists in the country’s political landscape. But this has not stopped some groups from using the PKI bogeyman for political gain.
Form over Substance: A Threat to Livelihoods and Social Cohesion
Sharifah Afra Alatas|Faris Ridzuan
Recent trends in Malaysia show that religiously conservative ideas are no longer restricted to the Malay heartlands. There should be more space carved out for freedom of conscience, with less interference from state or civil society actors.
The 212 Movement: Flagging Political Fortunes
Syafiq Hasyim
The decline of the 212 Movement in Indonesia could well portend the decline of political Islam.