From two different May Day events in Jakarta, divergent approaches in negotiating workers’ aims and rights in Indonesia can be discerned.
Author Archives: blackbox
The Strategic Calculations Behind To Lam’s Eurasian Tour
Vietnamese leader To Lam’s recent tour of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan was aimed at diversifying Hanoi’s strategic partnerships and securing Moscow’s backing for its military needs and South China Sea claims.
From Cell to Suite: Genuine Illness or Special Favour?
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faces probes to determine whether his six-month stay in hospital in lieu of prison was justified on medical and legal grounds.
Key Takeaways for Southeast Asia from US-UK Trade Deal: It Will Be a Hard Slog
As they negotiate with the US for new trade deals, Southeast Asian countries are hoping for at least some relief from the US’ reciprocal tariffs. With the recent US-UK trade deal in mind, these countries should do so with much circumspection.
ASEAN’s Trade in Services with the US and China: A Hidden Casualty of Trump’s 2.0 Tariffs
In services trade, ASEAN has maintained a deficit with the US and a surplus with China. The Trump tariff fixation with goods has omitted services, to the detriment of all sides.
PKR Party Elections Will Shape Malaysia’s Political Future
The upcoming Parti Keadilan Rakyat elections will influence Malaysia’s political future.
Medical Care: Vietnam’s Underleveraged ‘Soft Power’ in Cambodia
Although Cambodians are still wary of the Vietnamese, they have faith in Vietnam’s medical services — an asset that the government has not yet fully taken advantage of.
Vietnam’s Response to Controversial Mekong Projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia
Vietnam is anxious about the geostrategic implications of upstream Mekong projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia. It faces the dilemma of protecting its vital interests in the Mekong while maintaining stable and cooperative relations with its three neighbours.
Prime Minister Anwar’s Visit to Russia: Long on Pomp, Short on Outcomes
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to Russia was high on symbolism but low on substance.
A Call for Ecological Justice: Why Indonesia’s Pesantrens ‘Reject’ Renewable Energy
It is not clear that some of Indonesia’s renewable energy projects are designed with the people in mind. Some local communities and traditional Islamic boarding schools are pushing back.