Middle powers in the Indo-Pacific have gone beyond hedging to build strategic space and strengthen resilience. This holds pertinent lessons from Europe.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Why Sarawak’s Abang Johari Cannot Afford to Slip Up
Abang Johari, the premier of Sarawak, needs to win by a convincing margin at the upcoming state polls. This would give his coalition leverage at the federal level.
Vietnam Tests the Limits of Ideological Persuasion
The Communist Party of Vietnam has set out a strategy to build confidence in its leadership. Success will depend on several factors, including credible messengers.
Bank Indonesia’s Dual Mandate: Independence Under Pressure
Bank Indonesia now has a dual mandate, but not the institutional safeguards to manage it. The result is a central bank pulled toward fiscal financing and political oversight — and away from price stability.
Southeast Asia Needs AI Exit Options, Not AI Independence
The region cannot eliminate its dependence on foreign chips, clouds and models. It can, however, ensure that essential AI systems remain affordable, locally effective and replaceable when suppliers or access conditions change.
Thailand Election Commission’s Senate Case Treads Legal and Political Minefields
The Election Commission’s initiation of proceedings against a group of senators for 2024 election collusion raises concerns about conflicts of interest and selective prosecution.
Between Ambition and Trust: Tracking Southeast Asia’s Climate Transition
The 2026 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook survey reveals a region anxious about current global crises, yet steadfast in supporting the climate transition.
From Mosques to Motorbikes: Kedah’s Ride Dakwah Anak Muda and Muslim Youth Engagement
Kedah’s recent youth dakwah event suggests the real engine of religious mobilisation is quietly shifting from formal institutions to informal and digital networks.
Can PAS “Sell” Its Technocratic Record?
Parti Islam SeMalaysia is trying to show voters that it has a record of solid governance. Its record, however, has been patchy.
Southeast Asia’s Mixed AI Stacks: Pragmatic but Not Risk-Free
Regional initiatives such as Singapore’s SEA-LION and Indonesia’s Sahabat-AI show that Southeast Asia can combine technologies from American, Chinese, and regional sources. But mixed AI stacks do not automatically reduce dependence.