The latest State of Southeast Asia Survey is a ringing endorsement of Japan’s decades-long involvement and investment in the region.
Author Archives: blackbox
Indonesia’s New Sovereign Wealth Fund: Professionals Provide Some Comfort, But Challenges Remain
Indonesia has appointed a blue-ribbon slate of professionals to head its new sovereign wealth fund. There will be several challenges ahead, including concerns about investor protection and the Covid-19 pandemic.
America is Back – For Now At Least
The advent of the new Biden Administration has sparked high hopes for US engagement by Southeast Asians. Still, Uncle Sam has a mountain to climb.
Gus Baha: Rising Star Challenging Islam’s Conservative Establishment
His style might appeal less to social media users, but Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim has gained a following in Indonesia for his intellectual capacity.
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.