The G7’s proposal for a new climate club may fall short if its creators fail to separate geopolitical concerns from pressing environmental ones.
Author Archives: blackbox
Vietnam and Singapore: Chicken Rice, Apom, Milk Tea and a Shared Strategic Outlook
Vietnam and Singapore commemorated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in July. Looking ahead, the two partners can deepen the relationship by focusing on initiatives in the South China Sea and the Mekong.
Promoting Local Business for Marawi’s Rehabilitation and Peace
Business for peace (B4P) studies have identified how business activities contribute to peace. Marawi’s reconstruction calls for business engagement that will support the pride and dignity of the local Maranao people.
Rice Production and Food Security in Southeast Asia under Threat from El Niño
The latest El Niño event has just begun. The effects on rice production and supplies are expected to be severe. This Long Read argues for the urgency of putting in place plans for the next year and the following years to allay the worst impacts.
Jokowi’s (Worst) Reshuffle: A Loss for the Country But Does He Gain?
President Joko Widodo’s cabinet reshuffle last week was a calculated move to shore up his position rather than improve policy performance.
Why Cambodia Should Hedge by Engaging India More
Cambodia has become increasingly dependent on China and the West. It is high time for Phnom Penh to hedge by engaging India more.
Vietnam’s Suspension of Online Magazine: When Even the Compliant Are Not Safe
Vietnam has suspended the licence of a popular news site which has largely been supportive of the party line. This does not augur well for other media, given their already precarious position.
The Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: Movement in lieu of Progress
Observers following the long saga surrounding negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea should not be faulted if they feel a sense of déjà vu.
Jokowi’s Manoeuvres in Defiance of Megawati Aimed at Consolidating Future Position
How does an outgoing president secure his political future without the usual party mechanism?
Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: Projections and Scenarios
This Long Read uses the results of the 15th General Election (GE15) held in 2022 to project the possible outcomes in the upcoming state elections, through the use of various scenarios. A key question for the upcoming polls is the extent to which supporters of former political rivals Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) will “transfer” their votes to each other in the upcoming state elections.