Regional countries, including those in Southeast Asia, have worried about the impacts of a potential Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan. But there are other scenarios to consider.
Author Archives: blackbox
Lost in Translation: Decoding Populism in Thailand’s 2023 Elections
How populism is defined and wielded in today’s Thai politics has implications for the strength and sustainability of the country’s political development.
Eating Away Our Food: Ocean Acidification Impacting Fisheries in Southeast Asia
Ocean acidification, the “evil twin” of global warming, presents a stern challenge to food security, particularly for Southeast Asians.
Malaysia’s Ample Start-up Funds Need to Be More Accessible and Accountable
Malaysia has established numerous funds to nurture start-ups, but must do much better in simplifying the current system, reporting relevant data, and assessing policy outcomes.
Contested Chineseness: TikTok, Singapore and U.S.-China Competition
Global anxieties towards China have escalated, as evidenced in the U.S. government’s increased scrutiny and pressure on TikTok, including the “Chineseness” of its Singaporean CEO. However, Chinese identity has always been fluid and diverse, and is increasingly contested.
Can Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Succeed?
If Indonesia can leverage its advantages and summon the political will for committed change away from coal, a green and just transition will be within its grasp.
Post-election, Thailand’s Next Government Faces Difficult Military Procurement Decisions
Washington has rejected Thailand’s request to purchase F-35 Lightning II fighters, reportedly due to the Royal Thai Air Force’s lack of capacity to operate the planes. But there is more to the decision than meets the eye.
Southeast Asian Views on the United States: Perceptions Versus Objective Reality
5-year data trends from the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s State of Southeast Asia annual survey suggest that ASEAN countries have remained ambivalent about the US’ regional leadership role on multiple fronts. While there is still a reservoir of goodwill towards the US in the region, this is being depleted in some countries and cannot be taken for granted.
Dark Horse Could Win Thai Premiership
There has been much speculation as to whether the Move Forward Party might be able to install its candidate as the prime minister of Thailand. But the country’s next leader might well emerge from the ranks of Pheu Thai, the opposition party which won the second-largest number of seats in the recent elections.
A Strategic Reset?: The Philippines-United States Alliance under President Marcos Jr
The Philippines-United States alliance has been reinvigorated since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected president in May 2022. Since Marcos took office, the two countries have increased the tempo of high-level interactions and military engagements. However, an increasingly influential pro-China lobby composed of national and local politicians, pundits and media are acting in concert to undermine this revitalisation.