To realise its ambitions to build better infrastructure across the country, the Philippines needs to empower government units at the local level.
Author Archives: blackbox
Will Vietnam’s Tariff Deal with the US Make Its Exports More Competitive?
On the surface, it appears that Vietnam’s securing of lower tariffs from the US could make it more competitive than its regional rivals. A deeper examination shows that this might not be the case.
Rubio’s Reassurances to ASEAN Ring Hollow
US Secretary of State came to Malaysia with well-crafted words about the importance of ASEAN, but his rhetoric is undermined by Washington’s protectionist trade policies.
A ‘Reverse Nixon’ Attempt by Trump? A Chinese View
In 1972, US President Nixon forged ties with China to counter the Soviet Union; will – or can – President Trump do the reverse today by aligning with Russia against China?
Caught in the Crossfire: Vietnam and the Chinese Transshipment Dilemma
Vietnam is caught in the middle as the US seeks to clamp down on China using it as a backdoor into the American market.
Myanmar’s Opposition to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership
ASEAN faces an intriguing test of its own decision-making procedures, as consensus might be elusive given the apparent obstruction of one member to the full accession of its eleventh member.
The 2016 South China Sea Ruling at Nine: Where Does ASEAN Stand?
Nine years after an international arbitral tribunal ruled in the Philippines’ favour against China on the two parties’ disputed claims in the South China Sea, there are some glimmers of a more coherent – but still imperfect and incomplete – ASEAN position on the hotspot issue.
Thailand’s Climate Change Law Should Be Fortified Before It is Enacted
Thailand’s Climate Change Act is timely and responsive to public concern, but the current version is a frail gesture addressing a complex problem.
Data Centres, Energy Demand and Sustainability: Can Malaysia Strike the Right Balance?
Malaysia’s ambitions to be a digital powerhouse demand urgent consideration of rapidly increasing energy demands. Based on current figures, Malaysia appears to have overcommitted to data centre expansion, especially in Johor, without sufficiently robust sustainability guidelines in place.
Rethinking Thailand’s State Welfare Card: Addressing Targeting Flaws for Greater Impact
Thailand’s poverty alleviation programme needs reform as the existing system of self-targeting to access welfare cards excludes many low-income individuals while allowing some better-off ones to receive undeserved benefits.