The Onset of ‘De-Jokowi-sation’ in Indonesian Politics?
Made Supriatma
Eight months into the job, President Prabowo Subianto appears to have started trimming the sails of his powerful predecessor.
Articles
Power and Opposition Under Prabowo’s Political Cartel
Max Lane
After months of speculation about what a Prabowo government would be like, the picture has become clearer. A large parliamentary coalition, also described as a ‘political cartel’, has coalesced to support Prabowo and his government. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) stands as the only party that is neither a part nor a supporter of this coalition.
Thai-Cambodian Tensions: For Thailand, Appeasement Will Not Hold the Line
Tita Sanglee
In seeking to defuse tensions with Cambodia over a border dispute, Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra has scored an own goal. Thailand now faces an uphill climb in resolving the dispute.
Facilitating Gainful Labour Migration in Southeast Asia Remains an Elusive Task
Lee Hwok-Aun
ASEAN has focused on facilitating high-skilled labour mobility, although the vast majority of migrant workers occupy medium- and low-skilled jobs. Disparities in labour standards and uncoordinated migrant labour systems continue to impede the realisation of an integrated regional labour market.
Trump Administration’s International Student Curbs Risk Undermining US Soft Power
Cha Hae Won
The Trump administration’s curbs on foreign student admissions not only risk undermining US soft power but could also pave the way for more educational exchanges between China and Southeast Asia.
Positioning Thailand as an LGBTQ+ Tourism Hub: Opportunities and Challenges
Erika Chandra
Thailand has begun to market its LGBTQ+ friendliness to woo LGBTQ+ tourists and boost the economy. While the country has made progressive strides by legalising same-sex marriage, transgender individuals still face systemic hurdles.
Understanding Bobby Saputra, Indonesia’s ‘Professional Son’
Brandon Tan Jun Wen
Bobby’s satirical skewering of nepotism and corruption strongly appeals to Southeast Asians, who share disillusionment and a desire to laugh at a system seen as unfair and ineffective.
The European Union Looks East Towards the Indo-Pacific
Niclas Kvarnström
Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), about the European Union’s evolving approaches to the Indo-Pacific.
US-China Negotiations in London Signal a Tough Road Ahead for Southeast Asia
Stephen Olson
Southeast Asian countries lack the personal rapport and leverage that have shaped US-China bargaining, and with US’ limited bandwidth, could find themselves on the outside looking in.
Pulling Hanoi from the Pollution Precipice
Vinod Thomas
Hanoi’s air pollution crisis demands action in emission regulation, waste management, and climate mitigation.