VinFast, the electric vehicle manufacturer from Vietnam, is making inroads into the US. This would help, in not an insignificant way, the US to attain its climate change goals.
Author Archives: blackbox
Mainstreaming Religious Moderation in Indonesia’s Urban Spaces
Indonesia has pushed ahead with initiatives to promote religious moderation. Such programmes, however, need to address deeper issues.
Sino-US Competition: Southeast Asia Retains Agency
Amid intensified Sino-US competition, Southeast Asia countries are mistakenly seen as pawns on the geopolitical chessboard. In reality, they possess a fair degree of agency.
President Prabowo’s Politics of Accommodation Might Mean a Short Honeymoon
Indonesia’s new president might have squandered an opportunity to start with a lean, efficient Cabinet instead of appeasing supporters and partners to form the largest Cabinet since Sukarno.
Fraternity-Related Violence in the Philippines: Long Road to Justice
Networks of patronage continue to propagate abuses by fraternities in the Philippines. These networks should be dismantled.
Charting Its Discourse: Cambodia’s Naval Vessel Acquisitions from China
Rather than look a gift horse in the mouth, observers should consider Cambodian agency instead of assuming Cambodia is a pliant recipient of Chinese military aid.
Securing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: Navigating Conflicts and Public Scepticism
The persistent conflict in Myanmar does not seem to have deterred China’s determination to realise its CMEC priorities. Despite significant military setbacks for the Myanmar military, China continues to urge the SAC to accelerate the implementation of key China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) projects.
Time for Better Collective Climate Action in ASEAN Agrifood Production
Agriculture suffers from the impacts of climate change and is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. ASEAN, working as a region, must do more to address food security and climate change mitigation.
Thailand’s Deep South Policy: The Need for Justice
The failure to convict individuals for a massacre in Thailand’s Deep South 20 years ago will undermine reforms.
The Declining Freedoms of Speech and Press in Indonesia: New President, Same Problem?
A free press in a democracy embodies the concept of freedom of speech and checks those in power while ensuring that citizens are well-informed. Both freedoms were at threat under Indonesia’s former president. Things do not look brighter now.