K-pop activism is a growing phenomenon in Southeast Asia, serving as an alternative means of political mobilisation and expression among tech-savvy youth.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Phalang Pracharat Party’s Reshuffle: Preparing the Ranks for Battle
While the recent reshuffling of its executive committee and a proposal to revise Thailand’s electoral system, Thailand’s ruling Phalang Pracharat Party is well-placed to contest the country’s next round of elections.
Habib Rizieq and Hardline Islamist Groups: Losing Steam
Facing a sentence that will see him behind bars till 2025, radical cleric Habib Rizieq Shihab will face problems bouncing back from the political wilderness. His enforced absence from the political scene will be a boon to secular and nationalist presidential candidates.
#BenderaPutih: Hoisting the White Flags of Hope
The White Flag Movement underscores how Malaysians will go the extra mile to help each other out, at a time when there is growing unhappiness over the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why the New Indonesia-US Maritime Training Centre is Strategically Important
A new maritime training centre established by Indonesia and the United States is emblematic of sustained bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain, and the ASEAN member state’s independent and active foreign policy.
Myanmar’s Garment Industry After the Coup: Threadbare and in Tatters
Five months after the February coup, the future of Myanmar’s garment industry hangs by a thread.
US-Vietnam Military Relations: Marking Time in China’s Shadow
Relations between Vietnam and the United States have advanced markedly, particularly in trade and diplomatic cooperation. But bilateral military relations will continue to be stymied by Vietnam’s approach to China.
All Abuzz About an Anti-parasite Drug
A divisive debate has broken out in regional social media over the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19. The focus of the debate should remain squarely on its effectiveness as a therapeutic treatment for the coronavirus.
After Black Sea Encounter, British FONOP in the South China Sea Quite Possible
As a British Carrier Strike Group heads towards Southeast Asia, speculation is rife that a Royal Navy warship will conduct a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea. A recent incident in the Black Sea may shorten the odds of that happening.
Pandemics and Festivals: Will Covid-19 Transform Our Cultural Events in Future?
In Southeast Asia, mass participation at important cultural festivals amidst a pandemic has contributed to the tragic loss of life. The question is whether and how we can preserve such deeply cherished events without jeopardising precious lives.