A ceasefire in Ukraine could enable Washington to strengthen its deterrence network in the Indo-Pacific. But this depends on whether Trump hews to traditional balance of power considerations.
Author Archives: blackbox
Indonesia’s Social Media Usage Law Might Not Protect Children
The Indonesian government’s move to safeguard children from online harm is laudable. However, it overlooks their wellbeing and trains them to be digitally illiterate by assuming the solution lies in a general law.
Reconciling Indonesia’s Food Sufficiency Ambitions with Climate Commitments
As Indonesia forges ahead with plans to become an advanced economy, an honest reckoning needs to occur, to ensure that it does not squander its vast environmental resources for short-term gain.
Is the Growth of Thailand’s Medical Tourism Industry Sustainable?
There are mounting concerns that foreign medical tourism in Thailand could exacerbate a brain drain from the public healthcare sector. The overall picture is more nuanced.
Will Malaysia’s New Social Media Licence Shield Users or Curb Freedom?
Malaysia’s new hands-on approach to regulating social media aims to enhance online safety, but licensing requirements, heavy punishments, and vague terms raise concerns about government overreach.
Rethinking Thailand’s Local Elections: Beyond the Shadow of National Parties and Political Big Houses
The logic of decentralisation is overlooked if one views provincial administration organisation (PAO) elections through the lenses of rivalries among national parties and the emphasis on ban yai.
Trump’s Aid Cuts Could Devastate Myanmar More Than Anyone Expects
The Trump Administration’s decision to terminate foreign aid has crippling effects on the humanitarian landscape in Myanmar.
After the Honeymoon, Where Will President Prabowo Take Indonesia? A Governance Perspective
How have Indonesia’s new president and his administration fared in its critical first 100 days?
Philippines Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs): Off-putting
The high-profile case involving Alice Guo has uncovered a raft of issues related to offshore gambling operators in the Philippines.
The Impact and Complexity of Saudi Funding on the Dissemination of Wahhabism and Salafism in Indonesia
While the Indonesian government still needs to be vigilant about Saudi funding to promote Wahhabism and Salafism, the reforms under the Saudi Crown Prince Muhamad bin Salman towards a more moderate brand of Islam have also opened up opportunities to attract more Saudi investment into Indonesia and to boost Indonesia’s exports to Saudi Arabia.