Commentaries | FULCRUM

Sino-US Competition: Southeast Asia Retains Agency

Amid intensified Sino-US competition, Southeast Asia countries are mistakenly seen as pawns on the geopolitical chessboard. In reality, they possess a fair degree of agency.

President Prabowo’s Politics of Accommodation Might Mean a Short Honeymoon

Indonesia’s new president might have squandered an opportunity to start with a lean, efficient Cabinet instead of appeasing supporters and partners to form the largest Cabinet since Sukarno.

Fraternity-Related Violence in the Philippines: Long Road to Justice

Networks of patronage continue to propagate abuses by fraternities in the Philippines. These networks should be dismantled.

Charting Its Discourse: Cambodia’s Naval Vessel Acquisitions from China

Rather than look a gift horse in the mouth, observers should consider Cambodian agency instead of assuming Cambodia is a pliant recipient of Chinese military aid.

Time for Better Collective Climate Action in ASEAN Agrifood Production

Agriculture suffers from the impacts of climate change and is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. ASEAN, working as a region, must do more to address food security and climate change mitigation.

Thailand’s Deep South Policy: The Need for Justice

The failure to convict individuals for a massacre in Thailand’s Deep South 20 years ago will undermine reforms.

The Declining Freedoms of Speech and Press in Indonesia: New President, Same Problem?

A free press in a democracy embodies the concept of freedom of speech and checks those in power while ensuring that citizens are well-informed. Both freedoms were at threat under Indonesia’s former president. Things do not look brighter now.

Amid Intensifying Sino-US Rivalry, Southeast Asia Can Help Bolster Regional Security

Southeast Asia can expect regional tensions to rise amid growing Sino-US competition. To preserve regional stability, Southeast Asian countries should work more closely with middle powers.