Japan is considering the deployment of non-nuclear counter-strike capabilities in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China. This might have a bearing on Southeast Asia.
Category Archives: Commentaries
More than a Mere Caretaker? Jakarta’s Interim Governor and the 2024 Elections
The appointment of a caretaker governor for Jakarta might come across as a routine procedure. In the case of Heru Budi Hartono, however, his employment of a politically partisan approach throws up initial indications of the battle lines going into the 2024 presidential elections.
Malaysia’s New PM: The Need to Get It Right for the Country
Malaysia’s new premier Anwar Ibrahim has made the right moves in his first week in office. Going forward, however, he has a slew of challenges.
COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh: a Geopolitical Cop-out
The COP27 meeting in Egypt yielded some significant outcomes, such as a historic loss and damage provision. But geopolitics reared its ugly head and might have an impact on future meetings.
Myanmar Junta Prisoner Release: Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves
It is too soon to celebrate the recent prisoner amnesty in Myanmar as a serious indication of the junta’s intention to change its ways for the better.
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.