His style might appeal less to social media users, but Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim has gained a following in Indonesia for his intellectual capacity.
Author Archives: blackbox
The Hijab in Indonesian Public Schools: Individual Rights vs. Identity Politics
Regulating the hijab has long been a tool for both sides in Indonesia’s identity politics struggle.
How Successful Will the Protests in Myanmar Be?
The ongoing anti-coup protests are qualitatively different and pose a bigger challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers than earlier protest movements.
Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year or “China’s New Year”? The Rise of (China’s) Identity Politics
In multi-ethnic Southeast Asia, the term “Lunar New Year” is more befitting than “Chinese New Year”. The traditional celebration has always transcended ethnicity and national identity.
Not Welcome Home – Vietnamese Abroad and Tết in the Year of the Buffalo
Vietnam’s border closures keep families apart and economic opportunities unrealised.
New Covid-19 Strains: Domestic Surveillance, Not Selective Travel Bans, Will Go A Longer Way
In the ensuing fight against new strains of Covid-19, countries should rely more on intensified domestic surveillance protocols than travel bans.
Agent Orange: Vietnam’s ‘Struggle for Justice’ Continues
Agent Orange remains a barrier to closer Vietnam-US relations. To lower this barrier, the Biden administration should treat Vietnamese victims the same as American ones.
Southeast Asia and America: Biding for Biden
Some Asian states have gushed over the new Biden Administration’s return to foreign policy normalcy. However, the last “normal” American administration had a mixed bag of outcomes in the region.
Work Cut Out for Vietnam’s New Prime Minister
Rising star Pham Minh Chinh has to steer the country to the ranks of high income developed economies by 2045.
Cosmopolitanism and Multiculturalism: Reviving Bangsa Malaysia
Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s concept of a Bangsa Malaysia has been given a fillip by Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, president of ABIM, which represents the aspirations of Malaysia’s Muslim youth. It should be given some serious consideration.