Vietnam’s New Helmsman: What to Expect from To Lam?
Nguyen Khac Giang
Vietnam has a younger, more energetic leader who appears to be covering all bases, domestic and international. What might the future hold for him and his country?
Articles
Unpacking Recent Political Developments in Thailand
Napon Jatusripitak
Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the latest dramatic political events and the new government in Thailand with Acting Coordinator of ISEAS' Thailand Studies Programme, Dr Napon Jatusripitak.
Cambodia Has Not Tilted Away from China
Bunthorn Khath|Chanrith Ngin
Cambodia’s perceived tilt towards the West has not come at the expense of its relations with Beijing. The country has maintained its diversified foreign policy position.
The Controversy on Rain Shamans in Aceh: Sharia, Local Tradition, and Modernisation
A'an Suryana|Norshahril Saat
Negative reactions in Aceh to the ritual of rain shamanism do not mask the contradiction of parts of the Islamic community tolerating ‘Islamic shamanism’ or mysticism and ritual over science and modernity.
Takeaways from SEACO2024: Rising Food Insecurity, Growing Concern for Climate Change’s Impacts
Elyssa Kaur Ludher
The just-released Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey (SEACO2024) finds rising food insecurity due to climate change. The region must heed the clarion call to robustly improve food production, distribution, and access.
Thailand’s Overlooked Growth Story: Labour Reallocation and Domestic Investment
Peter Warr
Thailand’s long-term growth has been significantly fuelled by the movement of labour out of low-productivity agriculture to higher-productivity industry and services, and by growth in domestic investment. These factors deserve more attention.
Competitiveness and Geopolitics: Why Thailand Chose Gripen Aircraft
Paul Chambers
The thinking behind the Thai air force’s latest acquisitions reflects not just geopolitical considerations but also internal preferences of its senior ranks.
Data Leaks: Thai Government Tough on Private Firms, Soft on Public Sector and Cybercriminals
Surachanee Sriyai
Though the Thai government has started to crack down on private companies for cybersecurity lapses, it has not been as harsh with corrupt public officials and crooks on the Dark Web.
The Battle for Sabah: Key Players, Critical Issues and Potential Scenarios
Arnold Puyok
Sabah’s political landscape is notably fluid and polarised, characterised by frequent changes in government and deep divisions along territorial, ethnic, party, and personality lines. Critical issues for the upcoming state election (to be held by December 2025) include economic development disparities, infrastructure challenges, and the contentious Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) debate.
Barisan Nasional’s Win in Nenggiri: A Tactical Victory
Amrita Malhi
Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional’s victory in the Nenggiri by-election highlights both their strengths and weaknesses.