Seven ASEAN member states have signed on to China’s “community of shared future” more for mutually beneficial cooperation than because they subscribe fully to the Chinese vision of a new regional order. The remaining three may prefer practical cooperation to enmeshment in China’s grand strategy and discourse.
Author Archives: blackbox
The “T-Wave” Descending on China: Rising but Insufficient to Pull Tourists to Thailand?
Like Korea’s famous “K-Wave”, Thailand’s media stars and products have gained an Asian audience where Chinese fans dominate. Unlike the Korean trend, however, Thailand’s new “T-Wave” has not gained enough momentum to significantly increase Chinese tourist numbers.
Collaboration Between Pheu Thai and Move Forward Parties on Their Core Issues Will Determine Thailand’s Future
Thailand’s Pheu Thai-led coalition government is struggling to amend the Constitution of 2017, or to draft a new replacement for it. Not much progress can be made on that front, however, unless and until the Move Forward Party provides support.
The Postings of My Father: Tradeoff Between Privacy and Misinformation
End-to-end messaging apps in Thailand present a dilemma to policymakers. The use of encryption raises the level of security but at the same time exposes users to information maladies.
ASEAN-Japan Relations at 50: Taking a Harder Edge
With five decades of cooperation with ASEAN under its belt, Japan has the chance to now play a stronger role as balancer instead of passive price-taker in a region awash with anxiety over great power rivalry.
The First Debate Unveils the Character of Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Campaign
The first debate among the three presidential candidates for 2024 underscores a shift in tenor in Indonesia’s politics. Whether this more amicable front lasts as campaign season wears on will depend on the ratings game.
Carbon Border Adjustment, Trade and Climate Change: Emerging Issues at COP28
What has been overlooked amid the furore over the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai is the World Trade Organization’s emphasis on the interconnection between trade and climate change.
A Tale of Two (or More) Prime Ministers
Judging from Srettha Thavisin’s recent off-the-cuff comments, Thailand might have more than one prime minister at the moment.
The Prabowo-Gibran Pairing: Wise or Foolish?
Polls suggest that Prabowo Subianto’s decision to pick President Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his vice-presidential running-mate has been a net positive, despite the controversies and criticisms surrounding the circumstances under which Gibran’s eligibility to contest the polls were approved.
October Offensive by Resistance Forces Exposes Gaps in Myanmar Military
A military offensive by anti-junta forces in October has exposed weaknesses in State Administration Council forces. While resistance forces seek to overthrow the junta, challenges remain given differing interests.