Vietnam’s new general secretary To Lam is likely to consolidate power, as per Xi Jinping in China. But his economic and foreign policy approach may be different.
Author Archives: chahaewon
Japan, the Courteous Power, Bares Some Teeth for Regional Stability
Among ASEAN dialogue partners, Japan has been recognised as a “courteous power” that aligns well with Southeast Asian cultural norms and values. Beyond that, Japan has emerged as the most trusted and strategically relevant middle power to ASEAN. This positions it to play a greater security role in the region.
China’s Environmental Focus in South China Sea: Questionable Motivations
China has filed reports on environmental protection in the South China Sea to counter the Philippines’ claim of severe damage to the marine ecosystem at Scarborough Shoal and thwart Manila’s effort to file a legal case against China. But Beijing’s efforts provoke some serious questions about its motivations.
UK and the Indo-Pacific: Get Real about Progressive Realism
The UK might be scaling down its footprint into the Indo-Pacific. This is a bad idea.
Two Borneo Neighbours on Diversity: Comparing Religious Authority in Brunei and Sarawak
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
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.
Thailand’s Defence Budget in 2024-2025: Appeasing the Military?
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.
Sarawak’s Green Hydrogen Ambitions: What It Means for Southeast Asia
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.
ASEAN’s Unity Under the Microscope
Laos, the current chair of ASEAN, has found that it has to grapple with increasingly contentious geopolitical issues.
Southeast Asian Perceptions of China: Beijing’s Growing Power is Recognised, but Feared
Data from a multi-year trend analysis of Southeast Asian perceptions of China suggest that the region remains apprehensive about China’s growing power and influence. Yet in the face of greater uncertainty over the future of the United States’ leadership role in the region, the preference has been to try to keep the peace with China.