The Thai-Cambodian conflict has exacerbated economic losses on both sides.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Gender Reassignment in Kelantan: Complex Questions Arising from Institutional Inflexibility
The prosecution of an individual in Kelantan for undergoing gender transition underscores system inflexibility which ignores the higher objectives of sharia.
Piloting Pragmatism: Vietnam’s Aircraft Diplomacy through the COMAC Deal
Vietnam’s tilt towards the use of Chinese-made COMAC aircraft represents more a calculated experiment than a strategic pivot.
Cyberfraud in Southeast Asia: A New Battleground for the US and China?
China and the US have reasons to work together to tackle the scourge of cyberfraud in Southeast Asia. The problem, however, is that their geopolitical rivalry gets in the way.
From Partnership Expansion to Strategic Coherence: Vietnam’s Next Foreign Policy Challenge
Vietnam’s pursuit of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships has long been part of its foreign policy calculus. The challenge now is maintaining coherence across this wider network.
Malaysia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs: Calm Before Another Storm?
Malaysia has declared the ART null and void while the US is deploying new tariff instruments, creating uncertainty over new agreements. Malaysia should rebalance lopsided terms – and reduce its exposure to the US market.
The Iran War Shows Why Indonesia Must Accelerate Its Energy Transition
Indonesia seeks to shield society from inflation while managing the fiscal deficit. The immediate policy responses must not detract from the country’s paramount transition toward renewable energy.
Indonesia’s ‘In-Between’ Foreign Policy
Indonesia has sound reasons for consistently staking out a diplomatic middle ground, but not taking sides on all issues could leave no one impressed.
Sarawak’s Delineation: A Test for the Election Commission’s Credibility
Leveraging its growing political clout, Sarawak is pushing for a re-delineation of state seats. This could result in boundary changes to federal parliamentary seats and alter the balance of power.
Passage Through Hormuz in a Time of War and Peace
Many legal experts have used the aegis of international law to challenge Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The reality, however, is that the application of international law to the situation is more nuanced.