Vietnam’s foreign policy is evolving from a position based on integration and multilateralism to one based on strategic autonomy.
Author Archives: chahaewon
Women Farmers: First Defenders of a Warming Southeast Asia
Ahead of Women’s Day in the International Year of the Woman Farmer, an envisioning of how Southeast Asia can improve the lot of its women farmers in a warming world.
Proximity Without Leverage? Indonesia’s Risky Bet on Trump’s Board of Peace
President Prabowo’s involvement in Trump’s Board of Peace may have given Indonesia some proximity to the US, but his aim of gaining leverage in tariff negotiations is elusive.
Rethinking Malaysia’s Path to Net Zero
Carbon credits to be tabled under Malaysia’s new climate change bill should serve as a bridge towards decarbonisation rather than a substitute for it.
Korean Language Learning in Malaysia: Beyond the Korean Wave
By institutionalising an already popular global Korean wave, Malaysian and Korean state efforts are helping to intensify Malaysian interest in the Korean language.
Beyond Non‑Recognition: Myanmar’s Elections Leave ASEAN In a Bind
What are ASEAN’s options for responding to the election outcome in Myanmar?
Trump and Southeast Asia: When Transactionalism Undermines Trust
The Trump Administration has broken with the tradition of pursuing its national interests in tandem with an emphasis on alliances and values. Southeast Asian countries will respond accordingly.
Can Moscow and Seoul Help Vietnam Achieve its Nuclear Energy Ambitions?
Vietnam has grand plans to build a series of nuclear power plants. But it faces several challenges.
The Roots of the People’s Party’s Pragmatism
As the People’s Party moves towards elite accommodation and electoral pragmatism, it is facing a growing crisis of identity and legitimacy.
Between Rivalry and Rapprochement: The Trials and Trajectory of India-China Relations
After five years of tensions, India–China relations have entered a phase of cautious and fragile re-engagement. However, deeper structural faultlines remain. Meaningful progress will depend on whether Beijing chooses to accommodate India’s strategic interests – but given the power asymmetries between the two countries, this Long Read argues that the prospects are dim.