Commentaries | FULCRUM

Balanced Views Require Deeper Understanding of Middle Eastern Geopolitics

Minister K. Shanmugam addresses the recent incident where a young person was detained for harbouring plans to attack a synagogue and kill Jews on 10 March, 2020. (Screengrab: K. Shanmugam Sc/ Facebook)

The recent detention of a 20-year Singaporean here under the Internal Security Act underscores the need for Muslims to differentiate the religious and geopolitical aspects of the long-running Arab-Israeli conflict.

Bangsamoro Elections: Choosing Between Two Bad Options

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) poses for photos during the presentation of the signed document on the Organic Law for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during a ceremony at Malacanang palace in Manila on 6 August, 2018. (Photo: Ted ALJIBE/ AFP)

The much-anticipated polls for the Philippines’ new Bangsamoro regional region has been in the works for more than two years. Given a slew of challenges, however, it might be better for them to be delayed.

Thailand’s Senate: Why 2021 Demonstrators Want it Reformed

Pro-democracy protesters display a portrait of Thai Prime Ministers Prayut Chan-O-Cha

The protest movement’s progressive political reform agenda requires an elected Senate, or no Senate.

Zahid’s Sources of Stress: The Clobbering of UMNO’s “Court Cluster”?

Then Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Zahid Hamidi attends the ceremony to commence construction of a 30 million dollar lubricant blending plant, near the capital Colombo on 21 July, 2016. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA/ AFP)

UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is typically the embodiment of calm. Going forward, however, Zahid and his faction will have to hunker down to confront multiple challenges.

Jokowi’s Dilemma: Spirit Versus Sharia

Bottles of bootleg alcohol are ready to be destroyed after a recent raid in Surabaya on 25 April, 2018. Photo: Juni KRISWANTO/ AFP)

President Jokowi Widodo’s cancellation of a presidential decree on alcohol investment underscores a long-running contestation between the powers of the state and sharia law.

Why the United States is an Unreliable Partner to Southeast Asia

Supporters of former US President Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden gather outside the hotel where the Conservative Political Action Conference 2021 (CPAC) is being held.

As long as the Republican Party remains a viable political party capable of gaining power, the US will be politically unstable, and as a result, be an unreliable ally in the future.

Governor’s Arrest a Wake-up Call for Indonesia’s Flawed Electoral System

Bundles of cash seized in connection with alleged bribery involving South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah

High profile arrests expose the costs and corruption of Indonesian democracy.

Cambodia Embraces China’s Controversial Confucius Institutes

China's ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian hands over a shipment of Sinopharm Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen

China’s Confucius Institutes have been vilified in the West, but they have gained much traction in Cambodia. This is not surprising, given Cambodia is one of China’s closest allies in Southeast Asia.