Isabelle Chua

Betting on the Bulldozer: Why (Most of) Southeast Asia is Warming Up to Trump 2.0

The US president’s tough leadership, reputation as a dealmaker and expectation that he may pay more attention to the region seems to be winning over ASEAN countries.

Taking Southeast Asia’s Pulse on Geopolitics

Some Southeast Asians appear to have warmed to Trump. This could be based on the assessment that his policies might not harm the region as much.

ASEAN Food Security: Climate Adaptation as Urgent as Mitigation

To ensure Southeast Asia’s food security, mitigation or the reduction of emissions only constitutes part of the solution. Adaptation is just as important.

How the ‘Deal to Sell Out the Country’ Paved the Way for Thaksin’s Return as Thailand’s Biggest Red Herring

Unsurprisingly, Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence motion in parliament. But the debate over the motion obscured deeper political dilemmas that will continue to bedevil the country.

Batam Struggles to Up the Ante as Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Rises

The JS-SEZ poses deep questions for nearby Batam as its competitive advantage hinges on proximity to Singapore, ready land and labour, and generous incentives for investors — just like Johor. Batam is also hampered by connectivity, jurisdiction, and land procurement woes.

Thailand’s Land Bridge: Navigating Geopolitical and Investor Concerns

Thailand’s land bridge project faces challenges in managing geopolitical rivalries and competing with advanced ports in neighbouring countries. Additionally, logistical issues such as transit times and reloading processes could diminish potential time savings. Thailand could instead pursue more cost-effective options to improve existing port and overland infrastructure and boost competitiveness.