Cambodia and Japan have elevated their bilateral ties. But this is not without challenges, given different positions in the ensuing Sino-U.S. rivalry.
Category Archives: Commentaries
The “Small Yard, High Fence” Mirage: Why Sino-U.S. Tech Competition Will Not Be Contained
The U.S.’ “small yard, high fence” strategy of restricting key technologies from China would be difficult to effect in practice.
Thailand’s Public Sector Data Breaches Erode Public Trust – And Might Undermine E-Government
Thailand’s negligence in addressing cybersecurity concerns in the public sector, and lack of accountability and transparency more broadly, can erode public trust — and undermine the future adoption of e-services.
Thai University Students’ Civic Engagement on Campuses
Amid the hurly-burly of national politics and against some mighty odds, Thai university students have managed to carve out a progressive niche through their campus activities. Whether they can sustain their momentum after they graduate is another question.
Indonesian Muslims’ Responses to the Palestine-Israel Conflict: Fragmented No More?
The aftermath of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and ensuing violence has had repercussions in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s most populous Muslim-majority nation-state. Has the Palestinian issue galvanised Indonesians as one?
Thailand’s Marijuana Politics: Down from a High?
The Thai government is racing to ban the recreational use of marijuna. It has its work cut out for it.
The ASEAN Power Grid: How the LTMS-PIP Can Inform the BIMP-PIP’s Development
A quartet of ASEAN member countries have taken a first important step towards the vision of a regional power grid. The next step is to look back for lessons learned to move forward and improve collaboration, leveraging the experience of not just officials but stakeholders in the private sector.
Sharia versus Shariatisation in Malaysia: Which One Will Triumph?
Parti Islam SeMalaysia has protested against a Federal Court ruling decision which ruled that sharia-related laws in Kelantan were unconstitutional. Its actions underscore a long-running struggle between sharia and shariatisation.
China’s “Two Mountains” Framework: Varied Responses from Southeast Asia
China has long been propagating its Two Mountains theory to address climate change. But many Southeast Asian countries have tailored the concept according to their own needs.
Why Ganjar-Mahfud Were Beaten on Their Own Turf But PDI-P Survived
A post-election analysis of Ganjar Pranowo’s poor showing in last week’s presidential election requires examining what went on behind the scenes and at the grassroots level, including on his home turf, Central Java.