Territorial sovereignty and the military’s image as guardian of the nation limit the kingdom’s attempts at conciliation in its current dispute with Cambodia.
Author Archives: chahaewon
A Double Blow to Thaksin Signals the End of His Political Dynasty
Luck and influence may have run out for the man who lobbed himself, his family, and his associates into the Thai premiership for a quarter of a century.
Cambodia’s Warming Ties with Washington Reflect Continuity, Not Realignment
Maintaining flexibility in its diplomacy towards two big powers is the clear pragmatic option for Cambodia in today’s geopolitical climate.
Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama in Turmoil
Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation is split at its top echelons over worldly politics.
Gun Jompalang: The Grey Zone of Influencers and Warfare in the Thai-Cambodia Conflict
A Thai influencer’s controversial actions in the conflict zone between Thailand and Cambodia highlight the inadequacy of the laws of war and military protocols in this digital age.
Why Community Mining Is No Panacea for Illegal Mining
Indonesia’s push to turn illegal mines into community ventures risks simply recycling old abuses and stalling genuine prosperity for local communities as long as oversight remains weak.
Southeast Asian Countries Engaging in Export Circumvention: Not So Fast
The Trump administration has threatened to levy an additional 40 per cent reciprocal tariffs on transshipments to the US. The logic for doing this is not so clear cut.
After the Unrest: How Indonesia’s President Prabowo Regained Trust and Why It Might Not Last
The honeymoon is clearly over for Indonesia’s president as he begins his second year in office, even if a majority of the public still supports him.
Thailand Pays the Price for Unregulated Mining Boom
China is dependent on rare earth supply from parts of Myanmar which have unregulated mining that generates toxic waste. Neighbours like Thailand need to work with China and the US to address the problem.
The Trump Administration in Southeast Asia: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Trump administration’s recent overtures to Southeast Asia had some silver linings. But Washington risks long-term harm to its regional reputation with its transactionalism.