A'an Suryana|Nur Syafiqah Mohd Taufek
Facing a sentence that will see him behind bars till 2025, radical cleric Habib Rizieq Shihab will face problems bouncing back from the political wilderness. His enforced absence from the political scene will be a boon to secular and nationalist presidential candidates.
Serina Rahman
The White Flag Movement underscores how Malaysians will go the extra mile to help each other out, at a time when there is growing unhappiness over the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Richard Grünwald
The Lancang Mekong Cooperation has suffered a deficit of trust following the publication of a study in April 2020 raising concerns over the impact of Chinese mainstream dams on the Mekong’s water flow. To overcome the trust deficit on the Mekong, it is important to depoliticise hydrological science by ensuring compliance with standard research procedures and collaboration among relevant institutions.
Aristyo Rizka Darmawan
A new maritime training centre established by Indonesia and the United States is emblematic of sustained bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain, and the ASEAN member state’s independent and active foreign policy.
Su-Ann Oh
Five months after the February coup, the future of Myanmar's garment industry hangs by a thread.
Robert Sutter
Relations between Vietnam and the United States have advanced markedly, particularly in trade and diplomatic cooperation. But bilateral military relations will continue to be stymied by Vietnam’s approach to China.
Lee Sue-Ann
A divisive debate has broken out in regional social media over the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19. The focus of the debate should remain squarely on its effectiveness as a therapeutic treatment for the coronavirus.
Ian Storey
As a British Carrier Strike Group heads towards Southeast Asia, speculation is rife that a Royal Navy warship will conduct a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea. A recent incident in the Black Sea may shorten the odds of that happening.
Steve K.L. Chan|Kevin S.Y. Tan
In Southeast Asia, mass participation at important cultural festivals amidst a pandemic has contributed to the tragic loss of life. The question is whether and how we can preserve such deeply cherished events without jeopardising precious lives.
Tita Sanglee
Some Thai provinces are learning to adapt quickly to the Covid-19 pandemic. This might drive regional efforts for greater independence from Bangkok.