Visiting Forces Agreement: Uncle Sam Still Welcome for Another Year
Ian Storey
The Philippines has suspended the planned termination of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. But the alliance is not out of the woods yet.
Articles
The Advent of Cashless Transactions in Myanmar: Cash is (Still) King
Su-Ann Oh
The advent of Covid-19 is accelerating the trend towards a cashless society and driving the growth of e-commerce around the world. How will this pan out in Myanmar given the low uptake of e-commerce and mobile financial technology in the country? E-commerce in Myanmar is in its early infancy. It was valued at only US$6...
The Phuea Thai Party: The Ignominy of Irrelevance
Termsak Chalermpalanupap
The Phuea Thai Party, the country’s largest opposition party, is becoming increasingly irrelevant. To compound matters, the Thai prime minister is enjoying a surge of support, thanks to the country’s relatively successful battle against the coronavirus.
Inter- and Intra-Coalition Competition in Johor – a Kueh Lapis?
Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang
There are many different dynamics at play when one examines the tenuous nature of the Perikatan Nasional-led state government in Johor. Think political battles within and without.
Malaysia: Best Case Scenarios and Bracing for the Worst
Lee Hwok-Aun
The net effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the resultant shutdown and relief measures are hard to fathom. While the government can draw on some base-case scenarios, it might have to prepare for the worst when it comes to unemployment.
Will the Covid-19 Crisis Affect Thai-China Defence Cooperation?
Ian Storey
The Thai military has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to Chinese largesse, however, it will be able to secure the military kit it wants.
Indonesia’s Islamist Groups: The Logic of Strategic Silence
Made Supriatma
Indonesia’s Islamist groups have not hit back at President Jokowi for his handling of the current Covid-19 pandemic. There are several reasons for their strategic silence.
Thai Airways: Up in the Air
Sihasak Phuangketkeow
The national carrier is flying into turbulence, and its woes are being compounded by a near-standstill in global air travel. The hope is that an extensive restructuring would put the carrier on a stronger footing – and lead to broader reforms of state-owned enterprises in Thailand.
E-commerce and Supply Chains: Links of the Same Chain
Gloria Pasadilla
E-commerce is seen as a panacea for the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but it should be seen as one part of a larger and more complex system, involving other elements such as manufacturing and logistics. An ASEAN initiative to address bottlenecks in such systems should be lauded and supported.
Foreign Investors Exiting China: Vietnam Milks the Gains
Le Hong Hiep
Vietnam stands to benefit from MNCs’ efforts to diversify their production base beyond China. How much it will actually benefit, however, depends on how fast it can roll out measures to further improve its infrastructure and business environment.