Amid growing geopolitical fragmentation, ASEAN and the United Nations can work together to shore up the multilateral system.
Author Archives: blackbox
Lessons from a Young Female Preacher on Islamic Preaching in Rural Central Java
A rare female Muslim preacher who uses humour in her outreach to mixed audiences of rural adherents shows the richness and diversity of Islam as practised in Indonesia.
The People’s Vision for Regional Decarbonisation in Southeast Asia
How the region’s populations view decarbonisation as energy transition occurs can inform stronger leadership and better policymaking at the elite level.
Art and The Continuing Erosion of a Political Taboo: Sculpture and Activism in Indonesia’s National Gallery
Art has power to inspire activism and challenge political taboos. In Indonesia, a recent exhibition highlighted this dynamic.
Could Elections Provide a Way Out of Myanmar’s Political Crisis?
A small window into how the Myanmar people regard the viability of elections reveals plenty of mixed feelings about the country’s political future.
Vietnam’s New Helmsman: What to Expect from To Lam?
Vietnam has a younger, more energetic leader who appears to be covering all bases, domestic and international. What might the future hold for him and his country?
Cambodia Has Not Tilted Away from China
Cambodia’s perceived tilt towards the West has not come at the expense of its relations with Beijing. The country has maintained its diversified foreign policy position.
The Controversy on Rain Shamans in Aceh: Sharia, Local Tradition, and Modernisation
Negative reactions in Aceh to the ritual of rain shamanism do not mask the contradiction of parts of the Islamic community tolerating ‘Islamic shamanism’ or mysticism and ritual over science and modernity.
Takeaways from SEACO2024: Rising Food Insecurity, Growing Concern for Climate Change’s Impacts
The just-released Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey (SEACO2024) finds rising food insecurity due to climate change. The region must heed the clarion call to robustly improve food production, distribution, and access.
Thailand’s Overlooked Growth Story: Labour Reallocation and Domestic Investment
Thailand’s long-term growth has been significantly fuelled by the movement of labour out of low-productivity agriculture to higher-productivity industry and services, and by growth in domestic investment. These factors deserve more attention.