Trump’s “Liberation” day tariffs will hit Southeast Asia hard. Countries can hold firm and adopt appropriate countermeasures, or cut “deals” in order to reduce or eliminate the tariffs. Neither option bodes well.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Betting on the Bulldozer: Why (Most of) Southeast Asia is Warming Up to Trump 2.0
The US president’s tough leadership, reputation as a dealmaker and expectation that he may pay more attention to the region seems to be winning over ASEAN countries.
Singapore is Not Buying into Trump 2.0
This commentary draws on the perspectives of 242 respondents from Singapore who participated in the State of Southeast Asia 2025 Survey.
Taking Southeast Asia’s Pulse on Geopolitics
Some Southeast Asians appear to have warmed to Trump. This could be based on the assessment that his policies might not harm the region as much.
Humanitarian Aid in Myanmar’s Polycrisis: Navigating Disaster Amid Conflict
Rendering immediate aid to Myanmar’s earthquake victims should be a straightforward exercise. However, four years of civil conflict and the potential for politicisation by the ruling junta of humanitarian assistance efforts should put all donors and parties on notice.
Malaysia’s DAP in the Post-Lim Era: Fighting Demographic Realities
Malaysia’s Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party has made inroads as a multi-racial political party. But demographic and political realities will conscribe progress.
ASEAN Food Security: Climate Adaptation as Urgent as Mitigation
To ensure Southeast Asia’s food security, mitigation or the reduction of emissions only constitutes part of the solution. Adaptation is just as important.
How the ‘Deal to Sell Out the Country’ Paved the Way for Thaksin’s Return as Thailand’s Biggest Red Herring
Unsurprisingly, Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence motion in parliament. But the debate over the motion obscured deeper political dilemmas that will continue to bedevil the country.
Batam Struggles to Up the Ante as Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Rises
The JS-SEZ poses deep questions for nearby Batam as its competitive advantage hinges on proximity to Singapore, ready land and labour, and generous incentives for investors — just like Johor. Batam is also hampered by connectivity, jurisdiction, and land procurement woes.
Why Theravāda Buddhist Nations Struggle with Democracy
This commentary memorialises the late political scientist Alfred Stepan (1936-2017), a leading light in comparative politics. In it, the author considers Stepan’s research and thinking on the complicated relationship between Theravāda Buddhism and democracy.