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.
Articles
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.
Covid-19 and the Development Banks: More of the Same
Malcolm Cook
In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the more established multilateral development banks – the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank – are still miles ahead of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The same applies to non-Covid19 related loans and grants.
Mukhriz Mahathir’s Downfall in Kedah: Winners and Losers
Norshahril Saat
The fall of the Kedah state government led by Mukhriz Mahathir will change the country’s political map, and the fortunes of the various players involved.
Malaysia’s Next Parliamentary Session: Show-time or Stalling for Time?
Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang
Malaysia’s next parliamentary sitting was supposed to have seen the tabling of a historic no-confidence motion against the government led by Muhyiddin Yassin. It appears that the premier has dodged the bullet – at least for now.
Pushback Against Lifting of Covid-19 Movement Controls: Much Ado About Something
Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang
State governments’ resistance to the federal government’s decision to lift some Covid-19 movement controls is as much as function of the pandemic’s impacts as political affiliation.
Covid-19 in Myanmar: Conflict, Ceasefire, Conciliation?
Su-Ann Oh
A nationwide ceasefire could generate long-term dividends, and even a stable peace.