blackbox

Collapse of Myanmar’s Fiscal Space

People queue as they wait to withdraw money from automated teller machines (ATM) of AYA Bank in Yangon on 18 March, 2021, amid strained banking operations due to the mass protests against the February military coup. (Photo: STR / AFP)

Myanmar’s fiscal position has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the February coup. This will have repercussions long into the country’s future.

Muktamar and the Future of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo (R) greets General Secretary of Nahdlatul Ulama Yahya Cholil Staquf (L) at the Nahdlatul Ulama in Jakarta on 29 October, 2020. (Photo: Adek BERRY/ AFP)

The largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia will hold its congress in December to elect its next chairman. The new leader will have his work cut out for him.

Moving the Indonesian Capital: Political Ambition or Realistic Vision?

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (front row C in blue suit) and First Lady Iriana Widodo (front row C in white) walk with ministers and their spouses during a photo session at Merdeka palace in Jakarta on 23 October, 2019. (Photo: Adek BERRY/ AFP)

Legislation to approve moving the Indonesian capital to East Kalimantan is expected soon. Meticulous planning and execution will be required to avoid huge problems in future.

The SAC Versus ASEAN: The Futility of Legal Recourse

A photo of participants in the 39th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: Kusuma Pandu Wijaya for ASEAN Secretariat/ Flickr)

Myanmar’s State Administration Council has challenged a decision by ASEAN’s foreign minister to bar its leader from attending the grouping’s year-end summits. The legal merits of the Council’s position are disputable.

Climate Change: Can We Fix The Future Through Franchising?

McDonald’s has adopted an emissions target in the region. The contractual power that franchisors have places them in a unique position to speedily transition many other businesses into low-emissions, more climate-friendly activity. In this picture, people wearing face masks queue outside a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant in Singapore on 11 May, 2020. (Photo: Roslan RAHMAN/ AFP)

In Southeast Asia, little attention has been given to greening the franchise sector. Yet, it has potential to contribute significantly to regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cajoling China and the US Towards Peace, Not War

Ceremony of the launch of the ASEAN-EU Covid-19 health component and the EU project offices on 2 June, 2021. (Photo: Kusuma Pandu Wijaya for ASEAN Secretariat/ Flickr)

The European Union and ASEAN are supporters of a rules-based global system. As such, they can use their collective weight to persuade Washington and Beijing to focus less on their bilateral tensions and more on solving contemporary problems.

Unlocking Cross-Border E-Commerce for Smaller Firms

A worker cooling down pre-sweetened black coffee at the Antong Coffee Factory in Taiping in the Malaysian state of Perak on 29 September, 2020. (Photo: Mohd RASFAN/ AFP)

Small and medium sized enterprises in Southeast Asia have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. A way forward is for them to leverage on digital technologies to open up new markets.

The Curious Case of Attacks Against Muslim Figures

Ali Jaber (left), a preacher, who was in recovery in September 2020. He was attacked by an assailant as he delivered a sermon in Lampung province. (Screengrab: Syekh Ali Jaber/ Instagram)

It is unlikely that a string of attacks against Muslim figures in Indonesia was orchestrated. The attacks could have been hyped by a populace sensitive to the idea of Muslim figures being subjected to violence.