Commentaries | FULCRUM

Southeast Asia Can Navigate Growing Fractures in Global Automotive Sector

Southeast Asia has become another front in the ensuing technology wars between China and the US.

Joko Widodo, Prabowo, and Nahdlatul Ulama

Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation missed out on the most significant ministerial portfolio – religious affairs – despite supporting presidential candidate Prabowo. What now?

Prabowo Subianto’s First Cabinet Adjustment: Pressured to Deliver But Allegiance Still Prized

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to replace just one minister for now, instead of taking a bolder step to weed out inefficiency and incompetence, is disappointing and potentially costly in the face of rising public anger against his administration and expectations of election promises.

Interfaith Dialogues in Malaysia Declining at a Time When They Are Needed Most

Interfaith dialogue in Malaysia is flagging due to past controversies associated with such activities.

Artificial Intelligence is Intensifying South China Sea Disputes in the Philippines

AI-generated propaganda is being used to distort reality and disinform the public, even gathering support for military escalation in already troubled waters.

Doing More for Victims of Forced Criminality in Southeast Asia

To combat a rising transnational scourge, the region’s governments can augment non-governmental efforts to detect, rescue and repatriate victims of increasingly sophisticated overseas ‘job’ scam operations run by cyber syndicates.

New ASEAN Power Grid Agreement Must Reflect New Needs

It’s time to incorporate new key priorities into the pact to better address current realities of energy interconnection and serve future needs.

Leveraging Justice: Marcos Jr. Uses the ICC Probe to Challenge the Duterte Dynasty

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has shifted his stance from opposing to obliging a potential International Criminal Court arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte. The ICC probe has become a trump card in the Marcos-Duterte feud ahead of the midterm elections.

US Suspension of Foreign Aid: Will China Fill the Void?

As the US shuts down its supply of foreign assistance, some Southeast Asian countries are looking at China to fill the gap. But given China’s different approach to aid, it cannot step in as a direct substitute for America.