Australia made extensive diplomatic overtures to Asia prior to its March update about the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine arrangement with the United Kingdom and the United States. Canberra appears to have gained some traction in the region, but it should not rest on its laurels.
Author Archives: blackbox
Indonesia 2024: Coalition Manoeuvres Heading for A Single Presidential Candidate?
More elaborate politicking for the 2024 presidential race in Indonesia has not thrown up a clear frontrunner; watch this space.
The Curious Case of Cagayan: Localisation of U.S.-China Rivalry in the Philippines
The locus of superpower rivalry in the Indo-Pacific has gone down to the subnational level. The United States and China are engaged in a power competition for influence within local governments in the Philippines.
PDI-P’s Own Goal? Controversy over Indonesia’s Loss as U-20 FIFA World Cup Host
The political machinations behind the scenes that eventually led to Indonesia’s loss of its U-20 FIFA World Cup host rights might have serious repercussions for the frontrunner of not just the country’s 2024 presidential but also general elections.
Political Dealmaking Will Determine the Winner and Twist Policy Outcomes in Thailand’s Election
The policy trajectory of the next Thai government will depend on post-election coalitional configurations, not policy pledges.
Malls and Mosques: The Sights and Sounds of Indonesia’s Iftar
During the month-long Ramadhan, Muslims in Indonesia observe the breaking of fasts in mosques, and increasingly, in shopping malls. The differences in observance of the ritual underscore a growing class divide and corresponding social tastes between different groups of Muslims.
Malaysia’s 15th General Election: Ethnicity Remains the Key Factor in Voter Preferences
The results of Malaysia’s 15th General Election revealed that ethnicity remains the key factor determining voter behaviour. But in a reversal of previous trends, the coalition that received the most support from the ethnic Malay majority is in the Opposition, while the coalition that received the least Malay support is leading the government. This suggests that the current political configuration is intrinsically fragile.
Marcos Jr. and the Dangers of Virtual Hypermasculinity
Marcos Jr. may appear less threatening than Rodrigo Duterte to Philippine democracy but that is because the threat is shifting online.
Why is the U.S.-Thai Alliance Treading Water?
United States President Joe Biden has done a creditable job in upgrading and reinvigorating America’s treaty alliances. Thailand, one of Washington’s oldest treaty allies in Asia, is an outlier.
Forging Anwar’s Cabinet: Fervent Followers, Forbidden Friends, and Former Foes
With his first 100 days behind him, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acted proactively to solidify his hold on power. Adept at backroom negotiations, he swiftly cobbled together a Cabinet representing his broad ‘coalition of coalitions’ while ensuring that he and his loyalists controlled the most powerful positions. This Long Read provides an analysis of how the spoils were distributed in Anwar’s new Cabinet.