Myanmar’s civil war is showing up the clumsiness of the junta’s economic policies. The poorest households and workers will be the hardest hit.
Author Archives: blackbox
Anwar’s First Year: Performative and Underperforming
Anwar Ibrahim’s ascent to the country’s highest office last year was accompanied by a surge of expectations in his reformist government. One year on, however, his administration has lost some of its shine.
The Puzzle of Rodrigo Duterte’s Popularity during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Rodrigo Duterte registered high approval ratings throughout his presidency. However, survey research conducted in early 2021 revealed that his popularity was significantly inflated due to preference falsification among survey respondents.
Turning the Tide: Vietnam’s War Against Plastic Waste
Vietnam has ambitious targets to tackle the challenge posed by plastic waste. But the key here is effective enforcement and implementation.
Human Capital Development Programmes in Indonesia: Electoral Gimmicks or Achievable Promises?
A clear-eyed look at the various candidates’ proposals for improving Indonesia’s human capital development suggests that the devil will be in the implementation, not the targets per se.
Myanmar Military Losing Control: A Culmination of Past Policy Errors?
Years of shifting resources away from the Myanmar army and changing requirements for its senior ranks have led to its current weaknesses on the battlefield. Are the junta fielding men of straw?
The Dilemma of Political Involvement among Muslim Theologians in Indonesia
This Long Read focuses on the political views of a spectrum of Indonesian Islamic theologians, whose support is often sought by political aspirants seeking to raise their religious credentials as election campaigning heats up.
The Philippines-Japan Security Relationship: A New Golden Age?
While Japanese PM Kishida’s recent visit to Manila points to the upward momentum of the Japan-Philippines Strategic Partnership, it will also be a litmus test of Japan’s strategic goals in the rest of Southeast Asia.
Myanmar’s Recent Crackdowns on Corruption: Law Enforcement or Reputation Repair?
Two former confidantes of Myanmar’s Senior General have been convicted of corruption and sentenced to prison. Their oversight of economic portfolios, and failure to stabilise rising prices, suggest that they are also scapegoats for the regime’s policy failures.
Common Goal for Myanmar’s Warring Groups: Currying Favour With China
In an unexpected twist, the warring groups in Myanmar’s civil war have a unified goal: combatting cybercrime and ingratiating themselves with China.