Commentaries | FULCRUM

Thailand’s Post-Authoritarian Praetorianism

The Thai-Cambodian border spat has demonstrated the Thai military’s strategic dominance in civil-military relations.

High Mast, Low Draft: The UK’s Indo-Pacific Deployment

Notwithstanding an ongoing high-profile naval deployment, the UK cannot be considered a credible power in the Indo-Pacific as long as it tiptoes around the security challenges from China.

Southeast Asia Should Be Clear-Eyed As It Navigates Trump’s Tariff Fog

With the tariff regime announced on 31 July, Trump has upended the global trade system that has benefited Southeast Asia tremendously.

How China Might Retaliate Against Southeast Asia’s US Trade Deals

Southeast Asia has more clarity on US tariffs and trade conditions, but China’s reaction looms on the horizon. The region’s position is particularly precarious because China wields substantial leverage across lending, investment, and trade.

Saving Malaysia’s AI Dream Amid Shifting US Tech and Trade Policies

Malaysia must urgently pursue AI chip supply diversification and supply chain vigilance to mitigate the detriments of potential export curbs and tariff hikes.

Where Does Southeast Asia Fit Within the MAGA Worldview?

US President Trump and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement behind him will overlap uneasily with Southeast Asia’s foreign policy orientation.

Thai-Cambodian Crisis Has Given the Thai Military a Boost

The latest Thai-Cambodian border dispute has given the Thai military the upper hand as it pertains to civil-military relations.

Does Indonesia’s New Capital City, Nusantara, Fit into the President’s Long-Term Vision?

Concerns exist over the Prabowo administration’s commitment to Nusantara’s development, given its other priorities, unmet investment targets, and uncertainties surrounding coordination, transparency, and long-term vision.