ASEAN’s slow growth in services trade stems from persistent reservation and diluted liberalisation. Member states need to consolidate the region’s rules-based framework — and facilitate services trade.
Category Archives: Commentaries
The Unravelling of Thailand’s Military-Backed Parties
The Bhumjaithai Party has had to step into the gap left by Thailand’s two conservative parties.
Malaysia’s Unity Government’s 10-Year Term Limit Terminated: What Next?
The prime minister and his government have little time to lose in pushing harder for reform, if they wish to retain their support base.
Beyond Brotherhood: Vietnam’s New Playbook for Laos
In an attempt to prevent the latter from drifting too far into China’s orbit, Vietnam has made overtures to Laos in the form of functional cooperation.
Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan: An Effective Regulatory Model for Sufi Movements and Tarekat Teachings
Negeri Sembilan’s religious authorities have found a balanced way to allow Sufism to thrive while respecting Islam’s orthodoxy.
Bhumjaithai-Led Government’s Platform Promises Financial Prudence but Needs Industrial Direction
The Bhumjaithai Party’s election manifesto indicates policy continuity with modest additional fiscal spending. The incoming BJT-led government should decisively provide direction for Thailand’s manufacturing sector.
From Production Platforms to the Techno-Electric Stack
China and the US are building new industrial structures known as techno-electric stacks. Southeast Asian economies need to think less about choosing sides and more about shaping and owning a piece of these stacks.
Enhancing ASEAN–EU Cooperation on Subsea Cable Security
ASEAN and the EU could transform their shared subsea cable vulnerabilities and complementary security approaches into practical resilience through closer interregional cooperation that eases the pressures of great power competition.
Thailand’s Upper South: The Conservative Swing State
While the 2026 Thai elections were marked by a win by conservative elements, the situation in the Upper South was marked by the lack of a hegemon among conservative parties.
Myanmar’s “Election” Reveals Hairline Cracks in Military Rule
A closer look at the vote raises doubts about whether the generals can hold the country hostage in the long term.