Commentaries | FULCRUM

COP27 and G20: Climate-Food Nexus Takes the Spotlight

Two recent international gatherings — COP27 and G20 — have spotlighted the challenge of climate change and the impact on food security. As a highly vulnerable region, Southeast Asia needs to take urgent steps to adapt its agriculture and food systems, to prepare for a more disruptive future.

Anies Baswedan’s Run for President: Will it Provoke New Distinctions in Contestation?

The show of support for presidential contender Anies Baswedan has again underscored the enduring dynamic in Indonesian politics: competition without opposition.

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa for Global Talent and Wealthy Residents: Aiming Too High?

Thailand’s latest move to attract global investment and talent might be a step too little, too late, given its slow start off the blocks and its unimpressive record on innovative visa schemes.

Post-R20 Climate Action: What Can We Learn from Indonesian Muslim Environmentalism?

Activist groups in Indonesia inspired by Islamic and pro-environment ideas have the potential to do more to address climate change problems, provided those in charge will stop and listen, and perhaps even collaborate.

A Xi-Biden Handshake Does Not Bridge the Sino-U.S. Schism, But Is a Start

The handshakes and smiles in Bali have triggered some optimism about Sino-U.S. relations going forward. Yet the slight uptick in Sino-U.S. relations post-Bali might well be short-lived, given the superpowers’ underlying structural competition and deep mutual distrust.

Reviewing the Review: ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus Implementation

The latest from ASEAN leaders on Myanmar shows more steel in the spine but for real progress to be made, Indonesia as the next ASEAN chair must follow through expeditiously.

Considering the Optimism of Azyumardi Azra: The Future of Islam in Southeast Asia

The late renowned Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra had unlimited optimism about Southeast Asia’s position as the future of Islam.

The G20 Summit: Who Makes the World’s Rules?

The Group of 7 are relatively aligned in their perceptions of global challenges, particularly when it comes to strategic competitors such as China and Russia, but the same perceptions do not hold true when it comes to the remaining members of the bigger Group of 20.

ASEAN’s Season of Summitry: More Hits or Misses?

Going into 2022, ASEAN flew into a perfect storm of challenges within and without. With the annual ASEAN summits over, the grouping is none the worse for the wear.