Commentaries | FULCRUM

Indonesia’s Nickel Strategy Needs to Grow the Pie, Not Divide It

The Indonesian government is seeking to capture a bigger slice of resource revenues, particularly from nickel. A better way to grow the sector would be to upgrade it and broaden industrial capabilities.

Singapore and GCAP: Developing Future Defence Capabilities Amidst Strategic Uncertainty

Singapore’s reported interest in the Global Combat Air Programme would provide the island strategic choice and autonomy at a time of global uncertainty and US retrenchment.

The Search for Emerging Middle Powers: ASEAN-Türkiye Relations

For ASEAN, Türkiye’s appeal lies in its exercise of strategic autonomy, burgeoning industrial-defence capabilities and emerging middle-power status.

Generation Z Voters in Negeri Sembilan: A Basis for Introspection for Pakatan Harapan

A six-week study of Generation Z voters in Negeri Sembilan indicates that Pakatan Harapan has an uphill climb among younger voters going into the next general elections.

Post-Memory and Resistance Among a New Generation After 20 Years: The Lapindo Disaster

A new generation born of disaster survivors is keeping their hometowns’ memories alive despite state erasure.

Free Meals, Wasted Food: Why Indonesia’s Free Meals Targeting Problem Deserves More Attention

Indonesia’s free meals programme is not reaching the direst areas of need. For that to happen, the policy needs to be redesigned.

A Double-Edged Sword: Prabowo’s Shrinking Circle of Trust

There are clear limits to any leadership style. Indonesia’s president may be running up against a hard one soon.

Southeast Asia and AI Adoption: The Return of Cold War Strategies

Southeast Asian countries are seeking to adopt some measure of autonomy in the AI technology competition between China and the US. The question is whether such efforts can be successful.

A Green-Water Testbed: Vietnam’s New Multi-Role Frigate

Vietnam is building a new multi-role anti-submarine frigate. This underscores Hanoi’s maritime-oriented continental strategy, where a focus on land defence is coupled to a growing recognition of the importance of the sea.