Michael J. Montesano
Recent mass students protests in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand have forced the hand of the government. If the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha does resign, it could signal a victory for the protesters – or a determination on the part of hard-line elements in the military and the palace.
Ahmad Najib Burhani
The Nahdlatul Ulama has previously thrown its full support behind the government of Joko Widodo. Its recent criticism of the president’s decision to press on with regional polls and the Omnibus Law suggests a parting of ways.
Jayant Menon
The asymmetry in the treatment of national and international movement with regard to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer justified. If coupled with robust testing and tracing, opening up borders can deliver economic benefits without significantly raising health risks.
Syafiq Hasyim
President Jokowi’s unpopular job creation law creates a new rift with Indonesia’s leading Islamic groups.
Moe Thuzar
A recent pre-election survey has confirmed the conventional wisdom that voter attitudes are entrenched and will be influenced little by the barrage of social media campaigns.
Victor Teo
In this geostrategic climate, Southeast Asian countries should welcome rather than reject investment from China for their own developmental needs. This is likely to entice competing investments from the West and Japan.
Ian Storey
The South China Sea poses a stress test in Russia-China relations, pitting China’s excessive claims against Russian energy interests.
Daljit Singh
A check list of the differences Southeast Asia can expect if Joe Biden wins the US presidential election or Donald Trump is returned to the White House.
Nyi Nyi Kyaw
Despite a wave of Covid-19 infections in the country, in particular in Yangon, the authorities are determined that the 8 November polls will be conducted as scheduled.
Victor Teo
Richard Armitage, a veteran Republican official, has called for an Indo-Pacific that is inclusionary and not directed at any country. His view is markedly different from that of many Trump officials, and is similar to that of Japan and many countries in Southeast Asia.