The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings last week occurred at a time when the region was seeing ructions, be it in the Taiwan Strait, Myanmar or the war in Ukraine. ASEAN can boast that it has retained its convening power, but this in itself might be insufficient.
Author Archives: blackbox
Indonesia Versus Malaysia: Ruffled Feathers in Chicken Export Competition?
Malaysia’s ban on chicken exports to Singapore has allowed Indonesia to join the competitive poultry export market.
Pelosi Visit to Taiwan: Lasting Impact on Southeast Asia
Following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China has sought to bully the island with a series of import bans and a de facto blockade. Southeast Asian countries should take this to heart.
On the United States, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and US Freedom of Navigation Operations
The US has not become a party to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) despite the overwhelming support for US accession by all American government agencies, major interest groups. This has been a serious impediment to the US’ credibility in promoting and enforcing a rules-based maritime order.
Malaysia’s GE15: Not All Youth Votes Are Equal
Malaysia’s Undi18, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was supposed to empower a new generation of voters. As it turns out, however, not all youth votes have the same weight.
Bangkok’s Flawed Plan to Allow Foreign Land Ownership
Bangkok’s recent proposal to allow foreigners to buy land in Thailand is poorly thought out and will not be the panacea for the Thai economy that the government envisages.
Myanmar’s Danu Zone: From Peace to War
The emergence of a People’s Defence Forces in Myanmar Danu self-administered zone will have implications for the rest of Shan State and other parts of the country.
Ukraine’s Accession to TAC: A Critical Decision for ASEAN
ASEAN has a chance to stand up for international peace by allowing Ukraine to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Failing to do so would highlight the weakness of the organisation at a time when small and medium states need to hold firm against great power bullying.
Small Business and Climate Change: The Last Frontier?
Helping the world’s smallest businesses to deal with climate change might hold the key to a complete solution for global warming.
Leadership in Place, PKR Needs to Focus on Ideology
Parti Keadilan Rakyat, the political party of Anwar Ibrahim, has a new slate of leaders in place. To make a difference, PKR will need to find a balance between pragmatism and the need to uphold multiracialism.