China and Second Thomas Shoal: For They Say, But Do Not
Ian Storey
China’s expressed desire to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea rings hollow when one examines its recent actions around Second Thomas Shoal.
Articles
Restoring Public Trust in Vietnam’s Pandemic Response: A Bumpy Road Ahead
Dien Nguyen An Luong
The worst wave of Covid-19 infections to hit Vietnam since late April has threatened to chip away at the hard-earned public trust the government was able to engender last year. That is a major concern for a regime that relies on public support and patriotic nationalism to boost its legitimacy.
Jokowi Playing It Safe by Picking Loyalists to Lead the Indonesian Military
Made Supriatma
The latest leadership reshuffle in the TNI reflects President Jokowi’s desire to ensure he has loyalists at the helm, as political jockeying intensifies in Indonesia.
What is China Bringing to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN
Joanne Lin
Last Monday, ASEAN member states met formally with China’s top leader Xi Jinping for the first time to commemorate 30 years of dialogue partnership.
Indonesia’s New Army Chief: Nudging the Country Towards the Sea
Aristyo Rizka Darmawan
The newly-appointed commander of the Indonesian military has an army background. But his appointment comes at a time when Indonesia’s defence challenges fall largely in the maritime domain.
Japan’s Foreign Policy Direction under Kishida
John D. Ciorciari
New Japanese premier Fumio Kishida’s likely continuation of quiet economic, diplomatic and security investment in the region aligns well with Southeast Asian preferences.
US-China Relations: Guardrails and Third Rails
William Choong
There is much virtue for smaller states, particularly those in Southeast Asia, in upholding high principles and expressing a desire for a rules-based regional order. These elements, however, are premised on continued stability in Sino-US relations, which is not guaranteed.
Pakatan Harapan to Retake Melaka: Long Odds?
Kevin Zhang|Francis E. Hutchinson
The Pakatan Harapan faces long odds if it wants to return to govern the state of Melaka again. A deep dive into three key seats illustrates the challenges that the coalition faces in polls due tomorrow.
Cambodia and Covid-19: Last to Lock Down, First to Open Up
Bradley J. Murg
Cambodia, a lower middle-income country, has enjoyed relative success in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopefully, its chairing of ASEAN next year will provide the nudge to form a regional travel bubble.
The Melaka State Election: Unwanted, Unwieldy, and Unpredictable
Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang
The upcoming Melaka state election due on November 20 will be a useful barometer of the electoral fortunes of Malaysia’s shifting alliances and overlapping coalitions, particularly on the Peninsula.