UK and the Indo-Pacific: Get Real about Progressive Realism
Eugene R.L. Tan|William Choong
The UK might be scaling down its footprint into the Indo-Pacific. This is a bad idea.
Articles
Two Borneo Neighbours on Diversity: Comparing Religious Authority in Brunei and Sarawak
Norshahril Saat
Sarawak and Brunei, as neighbouring entities, offer interesting insights through the divergence in their pluralist and conservative trajectories. This Long Read considers the significance of political culture, demography, and religious elites’ training as factors contributing to contemporary trends.
Myanmar Junta’s Internet Controls Expose Citizens to More Cyber Threats
Surachanee Sriyai
The Myanmar junta’s ban on Facebook and curbs on internet access have compelled citizens to use virtual private networks (VPNs), including free but potentially malicious VPNs. Banning VPNs has made things even worse for Myanmar’s citizens.
The Battle for Indonesia’s Environmental Future: Youth Movements Against Systemic Challenges
Aninda Dewayanti|Muhammad Fajar
Environmental activism remains a cottage industry for the youth who champion Earth’s cause in Indonesia. Besides financial pull, they will need organisational evolution before any significant green movement can break the cosy ties between state and dirty business.
Thailand’s Defence Budget in 2024-2025: Appeasing the Military?
Paul Chambers
The Pheu Thai-led government has allowed defence expenditure to creep upwards despite fiscal pressures. This is a clever ploy to keep the country’s generals onside.
Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election: How Political Personas and Policy Platforms Influenced Swing Voters
Julia Lau|Maria Monica Wihardja
In Indonesia’s presidential election in February, candidates’ failure to distinguish themselves in persona and policies hurt their campaigns.
Regional Responses to China’s Community of Shared Future for Mankind
Hafiizh Hashim|Lye Liang Fook|Souliya Mounnarath|Nguyen Khac Giang|Yohanes Sulaiman|Aletheia Kerygma B. Valenciano
In March 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the concept of building a “community with a shared future for mankind” as a central tenet of his “Thought on Diplomacy” with Chinese characteristics. This ambitious vision encompasses more recent programmes such as the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To date, seven ASEAN countries, excluding Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, have endorsed the initiative.
Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnam: The Loss of Ideological Cover
Nguyen Thanh Giang|Nguyen Khac Giang
The passing of Nguyen Phu Trong leaves Vietnam short of ideological cover to pursue the country’s policies.
Sarawak’s Green Hydrogen Ambitions: What It Means for Southeast Asia
Christopher Len
As the frontrunner for green hydrogen projects in Southeast Asia, Sarawak’s success or failure in the next two years will serve as a bellwether for Malaysia’s hydrogen economy goals, ASEAN’s hydrogen future and global clean hydrogen demand.
Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement: Part of a Bigger Puzzle
Aries A. Arugay
William Choong, Fulcrum’s Managing Editor and ISEAS Senior Fellow, discusses the recent Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement with Dr Aries Arugay, the coordinator of the institute’s Philippines Studies Programme, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.