Southeast Asian views of the United States declined during the Trump administration, and persisted into the Biden administration early on in the year. But Washington’s sustained support for Manila amid the latter’s recent confrontation with China in the South China Sea has helped to offset negative perceptions of Uncle Sam in the region.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Lesson Learnt: Indonesia’s Second Eid al-Fitri under Covid-19
In 2020, Eid-al-Fitri was a national superspreader event. This year the government and Muslim organisations were better prepared.
Vietnam’s Consumer Finance Goes Global
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s new 49 per cent stake in FE Credit highlights the need for greater regulatory oversight and consumer protection measures.
Quad 2.0: Beyond “Not Making Choices”, Giving ASEAN a Slew of Options
India’s grappling with the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic at home has only highlighted the need for greater “issue-based” coalitions in the Indo-Pacific. This is relevant to ASEAN as the grouping looks to assert its centrality in regional affairs.
ASEAN’s Mission to Myanmar: An Approach to Ends with Possibilities of Success
All eyes will be on the incoming mission of the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy in Myanmar to facilitate talks between the military junta and civilian government it toppled earlier this year. But the writing is already on the wall – the envoy has a mountain to climb.
Speaking Out on Politics in Indonesia: More Opportunity, More Fear
Despite a legacy of citizen passivity from the New Order era, elite fear of the freedom social media promises remains strong.
Muhyiddin’s Special Envoy to the Middle East: Largely Ceremonial
Hadi Awang, the Malaysian prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East, has done little to advance Kuala Lumpur’s interests in that region. His role is more political than functional.
The ASEAN Way: Zen and the Art of Great Power Maintenance
Recent official rejections of China’s “nine dash line” claims in the South China Sea by Southeast Asian disputant states are not about closer alignment with the US.
Biden Versus Trump in Southeast Asia: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Expectations of the Biden Administration’s engagement with Southeast Asia are running high, but, like his predecessor, President Biden did not register any meetings or phone calls with Southeast Asian leaders in his first three months in office.
DAP Johor Party Elections: A “Fourpeat” for State Chief Liew Chin Tong
Liew Chin Tong’s win in the Johor state party elections is a win for Lim Kit Siang in the coming DAP national party elections.