Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) regime has been unable to stem continuous economic woes since the February 2021 coup. However, the situation calls for balanced approach of supporting the democratic movement while advocating for policies that ameliorate the economic condition of Myanmar households.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Can Vietnam Reach Its Offshore Wind Power Goals?
Vietnam has an impressive slew of offshore wind power projects on the drawing board. But due to various technical and legal constraints, the country is unlikely to hit the 6 gigawatt target by 2030.
China’s Belt and Road Forum: Pressing Ahead Without the West
The lack of Western representation at the recent Belt and Road Forum has strengthened China’s resolve to push ahead with the Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing is using the Forum as a vehicle to engage the developing world in a more concerted manner.
China-U.S. High-Level Dialogues: A Welcome Uptick but a Long Road Ahead
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent meeting with U.S. President Joseph R. Biden in Washington indicates that high-level exchanges between the two powers are gaining momentum. But there is still a long way to go.
Indonesia’s EV Transformation: A Work in Progress
The Indonesian government is seeking to ramp up the adoption of electric vehicles on the country’s road. But several challenges remain.
Diversifying from Rice to Alternative Crops in Southeast Asia
It will be a tall order to effectively switch from rice to substitute grains but Southeast Asia owes it to its future generations to build up food security and crop resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Thailand’s Exposure to Northeast Asia’s Slowdowns
World events have not been kind to Thailand’s economic plans. Besides high oil prices and U.S. interest rates, Thailand faces prolonged slowdowns in its Northeast Asian economic partners. The challenges and opportunities are many, and ultimately hinge on stable democratic leadership.
Thailand’s Marooned Submarine Deal: Some Questions Need Answers
Thailand’s long-drawn saga to acquire Chinese-built submarines is dead in the water. The kingdom’s newly-appointed defence minister should be asking the Royal Thai Navy some serious questions.
Firmly by Palestine’s Side: Behind Malaysia’s Response to the Israel-Gaza Crisis
Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim has not minced his words in upbraiding Israel and its supporters for their response to the worsening crisis in the Gaza territories. His motivations are driven by compelling domestic factors and a long-held political stance on Palestine.
The Challenge for PAS: Going Mainstream
The recent annual general assembly by Parti Islam SeMalaysia was relatively uneventful, with key leaders including Abdul Hadi Awang retaining their positions. If the party is eyeing federal power in Putrajaya, however, it would need to prove its governance credentials.