Over the past ten years, Türkiye has increased its share of the global arms market and has become an attractive defence partner for countries in the Global South. In Southeast Asia, Turkish arms manufacturers have taken advantage of rising defence budgets to win contracts for military vehicles, drones, missiles and naval ships.
Author Archives: blackbox
MAGA Show on ASEAN’s Stage: Guarded Expectations
President Trump will make a spectacle of his presence in Kuala Lumpur, but is unlikely to offer ASEAN the reliable, long-term engagement it seeks.
Malaysia’s Islamic Authorities Risk Sowing Societal Confusion through Hasty Bans on Some ‘New Age’ Practices
By indiscriminately condemning as heretical some ‘New Age’ practices, such as those involving healing and astrology, Malaysia’s Islamic authorities could inadvertently undermine some Malay cultural traditions.
How Stablecoins Could Destabilise Southeast Asian Economies
For all the recent excitement around stablecoins, they bring significant risks that warrant proactive policy responses.
Floating Prices, Fearing Backlash: Economics and Politics of Malaysia’s Petrol Subsidy Reform
Malaysia’s persistently narrow tax base and declining oil and gas revenue underscore the case for fuel subsidy reform. The Long Read assesses the political context and constraints that shape the policy options available to Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani administration.
Anutin’s Rise and the People’s Party’s Test
By supporting the Bhumjaithai minority government, the People’s Party has embarked on a political gambit: working with the party’s erstwhile enemy in exchange for some degree of reform in the medium term.
Scarborough Shoal Standoff: More Deterrence, Less Trust
The dispute over Scarborough Shoal reflects a fragile balance sustained by deterrence and symbolism rather than trust.
Energy Trade in Southeast Asia: The Need to Address Resource Nationalism
Resource nationalism can impede energy cooperation in Southeast Asia. ASEAN can use a mix of carrots and sticks to deal with it.
The Intangible Yet Unmistakable Costs of Myanmar’s Political Crisis
The protracted Myanmar crisis is now everyone’s problem. The time for ASEAN to act is now.
A Gathering Storm: How Prabowo’s Fiscal Centralisation and Out-of-Touch Elites Fuel Discontent and Protests
Almost a year into office, Indonesia’s central government must balance its ambitions against rising public discontent. There is still time to right the ship.