Articles

24 Mar 2022

ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar: Too Little, Too Late?

Sharon Seah|Joanne Lin

The recent visit to Myanmar by ASEAN’s Special Envoy has been disappointing. It might be time to reconsider the grouping’s five-point consensus.

24 Mar 2022

U.S.-China Rivalry in Regional Economic Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges for ASEAN

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

China’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the prospect of its accession to the CPTPP further increase China’s role in supporting the rules-based multilateral system to which the U.S. is making a steady but selective comeback.

Asean Trade ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China-U.S. Relations

24 Mar 2022

Thailand and the Russia-Ukraine War: Bending or Gone with the Wind?

Ian Storey

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted how Thailand’s desire to balance its relations with the major powers, coupled with the deleterious effects of nearly two decades of political turmoil, has enervated the country’s foreign policy.

ASEAN-Russia Relations Russia Thailand

24 Mar 2022

Resetting the Throw-Away Lifestyle

Ryan Wong

No politician in both developing and developed nations would be ready to condemn more consumption, more growth and more throw-away. But the alternative need not be anti-consumption. Innovations and nascent movements in sustainable consumption show us more options.

Environment Sustainable Development

23 Mar 2022

Nahdlatul Ulama ‘Going Global’: Charity Should Begin at Home

Syafiq Hasyim|Norshahril Saat

The newly-elected chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama has a grand vision about humanitarian Islam. In practice, however, the policy is found wanting when it comes to attending to the needs of the NU rank and file.

Indonesia Islam Progressive Islam Religion

23 Mar 2022

Myanmar Returns to Import Substitution: Primed to Fail

Khine Win

The State Administration Council has initiated a raft of import substitution policies in an attempt to support domestic industralisation. This approach was tried in the past – and failed.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy Myanmar Military

22 Mar 2022

UMNO Assembly Puts Prime Minister’s Back to the Wall

Norshahril Saat

It was all sweetness and light at the recent general assembly of the United Malays National Organisation. But there is more than meets the eye.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

22 Mar 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

Targeting the Tourism Dollar from ASEAN

Melinda Martinus

China is the world's biggest source of tourists, but ASEAN is not far behind it. As borders open up, it might be worthwhile looking at enticing tourists from ASEAN.

ASEAN State of Southeast Asia Survey Tourism

22 Mar 2022

China and Chinese Overseas: A Softer Soft Policy Needed?

Tan Chee-Beng

This Long Read describes China’s soft power in relation to Chinese overseas who as a whole constitute a potentially important resource for it.

ASEAN-China Relations China Education

22 Mar 2022

Bangkok’s New Chinatown: Waiting for Another Ka-Ching

Aranya Siriphon|Fanzura Banu|Pagon Gatchalee

Bangkok’s ‘new Chinatown’ flourished when a steady stream of Chinese tourists visited the area. As the country prepares to re-open its borders, the question is whether the area will revisit its glory days.

COVID-19 Thai Economy Thailand Tourism