Trump’s threat of tariffs on various countries including China could spark a 1930s-era trade war.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Parsing the Politicking Behind the Police
The reforms of the Royal Thai Police give some semblance of movement. But politicking remains at the heart of the system.
China’s Pop Fiction Boom Poses a Dilemma for the Party
The export of Chinese pop fiction has found ready markets in Southeast Asia such as Thailand. But some undesirable genres pose a dilemma for China’s soft power.
Politically Proofing the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone for Credibility and Durability
There is positive sentiment on both sides of the Causeway about the proposed special economic zone in Johor. However, the project needs to be future-proofed against potential political complications up north.
Locating Theravāda Buddhism in Maritime Southeast Asia
Theravāda Buddhist communities across maritime Southeast Asia have long adapted to local conditions. Even today, believers are finding new ways of transmitting the faith to younger adherents.
Japan-ROK-US Trilateral Relations: Flying into Turbulence
The political tides are going against the recently impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This could adversely affect the trilateral security arrangement involving Japan, South Korea and the US.
Should Selangor Take Kuala Lumpur Back?
There is talk of integrating Kuala Lumpur into Selangor again. However, before considering reintegration, the capital’s governance and residents’ needs must be addressed.
Political Storm in Sabah: Can Hajiji Noor and GRS Survive the Scandal?
Another scandal has rocked the state government in Sabah. But it is too early to tell whether it will deal the death blow to the government.
Fewer Voices, More Control: Vietnam Reshapes Its Media
As George Orwell noted in his seminal 1972 essay, “Unpopular ideas can be silenced, and inconvenient facts kept dark, without the need for any official ban”. As our authors argue, Vietnam’s state plan to reform its media could create more problems than it solves.
Fan Bingbing: Tourism Ambassadorship and China’s Soft Power
China’s soft power comes in various guises. Fan Bingbing’s appointment as Melaka’s tourism ambassador represents a new, private-sector driven form that will likely grow.