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China's ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian hands over a shipment of Sinopharm Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen

Cambodia Embraces China’s Controversial Confucius Institutes

China’s Confucius Institutes have been vilified in the West, but they have gained much traction in Cambodia. This is not surprising, given Cambodia is one of China’s closest allies in Southeast Asia.

by estherseahhuien 4 Mar 20214 Mar 2021

Vietnam’s Mekong Middle Power Diplomacy

Hanoi is applying its South China Sea playbook to the Mekong.

by estherseahhuien 3 Mar 2021

Then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (C) smiles during a photo session with IAP members at 6th Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) International Advisory Panel meeting in Cyberjaya, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, on 5 September, 2002. (Photo: Ahmad YUSNI/ AFP)

Malaysia’s Digital Economy Blueprint: More is Not Better

This 100+ page plan may hinder more than help the country’s digital economy transformation.

by iseasdorcas 2 Mar 20212 Mar 2021

Protesters display banners outside the Criminal Court in Bangkok on 24 February, 2021, during a demonstration calling for the release of pro-democracy activists held under Thailand's lese-majeste royal defamation laws. (Photo: Jack TAYLOR/ AFP)

What’s Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander

The convictions of three ministers do not augur well for the ruling coalition led by Thai Prime Minister Prayut. It also sets a precedent for pro-democracy protestors who have been detained – invoking one’s constitutional right to justify unlawful protest activities is an invalid legal defence.

by iseasdorcas 2 Mar 20212 Mar 2021

A health worker checks the containers of Covid-19 vaccine produced by China's Sinovac, as they arrived in Surabaya on 13 January, 2021. (Photo: Juni Kriswanto/ AFP)

To Be Young and Rich: Indonesia’s Vaccination Controversies

No parliamentary opposition means the government is not held to account for its vaccination programme.

by iseasdorcas 1 Mar 20211 Mar 2021

Protesters hold up marked depictions of Chinese president Xi Jinping as they march on a street leading to the Chinese embassy in downtown Hanoi on 5 November, 2015, a few hours prior to the arrival of the Chinese leader for a two-day state visit. (Photo: Hoang Dinh NAM/ AFP)

Constant and Continuous: Vietnam’s Foreign Policy After The 13th Party Congress

Hedging between the US and China while promoting a rules-based South China Sea will continue to guide Vietnam’s foreign policy.

by iseasdorcas 1 Mar 20211 Mar 2021

An image of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

No-Confidence Motion in Thailand: Dissension Within and Without

The recent no-confidence vote by the opposition in Thailand’s parliament shows that the ruling coalition is being riled by internal conflict.

by lwongiseas 26 Feb 202126 Feb 2021

For India, Miles to Go to Reengage Southeast Asia

The latest State of Southeast Asia Survey presents a sobering picture for India. New Delhi has its work cut out for it if it wants to engage the region more.

by lwongiseas 26 Feb 202126 Feb 2021

Covid-19 in Malaysia: Maladies & Misinformation

Fake news and the incessant jockeying for political power is complicating Malaysia’s battle against the coronavirus.

by lwongiseas 25 Feb 202125 Feb 2021

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