President Biden skipping the East Asia Summit in Jakarta bodes ill for both the optics of the decision and the implications on U.S. engagement in ASEAN, especially as China continues to expand influence and cultivate relations in the region.
Author Archives: Lyd w
Troubled Waters Ahead for Philippine-Vietnam Strategic Partnership on the South China Sea
Vietnam and the Philippines have formed a strategic partnership in the South China Sea. By reinforcing their respective claims to the area, however, they are vulnerable to a wedge strategy by third parties such as China.
The Race for Critical Minerals in Malaysia: Upstream, Mid-Stream, or Downstream?
The global hunt for critical minerals used in clean energy platforms such as electric vehicles has put the spotlight on some Southeast Asian countries, in particular, Malaysia.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: When Rhetoric Extends Beyond Reach
Canada is still on the outside looking in, even if it will be promoted to a strategic partnership with ASEAN next month.
Anwar’s Sidestepping Ethnic Policies: Not a Way to Gain Ground
The Unity government concedes that the status quo of ethnic quotas in Malaysia cannot be changed. They are easily tarred by PN as meek and ambivalent toward Malay interests, and simultaneously disappoint non-Malays who nonetheless vote for them because PN is viewed as a worse alternative.
Malaysia’s State Elections: Surprisingly Unremarkable
Numerous interpretations have been offered for the recent state elections in Malaysia. They may offer some truth, but the results also conform with general expectations for a mid-term election that have little to do with the specifics of Malaysia.
Ganjar Pranowo’s Running Mate: What’s in PDI-P’s Playbook?
While his party has come up with a shortlist of potential running mates, the decision as to who will run with Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo to be his vice-president will most likely lie with none other than a former president who is Ganjar’s party boss.
Indonesia’s Appointed Leaders and the Future of Regional Elections
By the end of 2023, there will be 271 interim regional heads who are appointed rather than elected, constituting over half of the regional leadership posts throughout Indonesia. These handpicked interim leaders are well-positioned to use the advantages of incumbency to promote central government interests at the expense of others in the 2024 elections.
Personnel Changes at China’s Foreign Ministry: Beijing Will Stay the Course on Southeast Asia
Recent top-level changes at China’s foreign ministry are unlikely to affect Beijing’s foreign policy orientation towards Southeast Asia. The region remains important in light of China’s difficult relationship with the United States and other key countries.
The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20
In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations.