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Southeast Asia Should Be Clear-Eyed As It Navigates Trump’s Tariff Fog

With the tariff regime announced on 31 July, Trump has upended the global trade system that has benefited Southeast Asia tremendously.

Where Does Southeast Asia Fit Within the MAGA Worldview?

US President Trump and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement behind him will overlap uneasily with Southeast Asia’s foreign policy orientation.

Does Indonesia’s New Capital City, Nusantara, Fit into the President’s Long-Term Vision?

Concerns exist over the Prabowo administration’s commitment to Nusantara’s development, given its other priorities, unmet investment targets, and uncertainties surrounding coordination, transparency, and long-term vision.

What the Weak Must Suffer: Indonesia’s High-Cost Trade Deal with the US

A fast deal is not necessarily a good deal if Indonesia strikes an unequal trade bargain to avoid higher tariffs.

Malaysia Must Address Ailing Security of its Ageing Society

Malaysia’s retirement fund system is ailing and will not serve the retirement needs of the populace adequately. It is time to consider a basic pension scheme.

Why Students from China Are Picking Malaysia over Traditional Destinations

Mainland Chinese student numbers in Malaysian universities have surged recently, driven by affordability, proximity, and cultural familiarity, as well as restrictions in traditional study destinations such as the US.

Marriage Equality: Could Vietnam Be Next?

There is growing momentum in Vietnam to adopt marriage equality. However, traditional societal norms and tighter controls on foreign funding loom.

Thai-Cambodian Dispute: When Foreign Policy Begins at Home

Amid growing tensions in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, the former is doing itself no favours as political parties manoeuvre to gain political advantages.

Trump’s Tariff Deal With the Philippines: All Praise, Little Gain

For all the praise that US President Trump lavished on his Philippine counterpart, Marcos Jr. had little to account for from his high-profile visit to the US.