As competition with China becomes an organising principle of American foreign policy, realpolitik is the name of the game in U.S. engagement with Southeast Asia.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Why the Next Decade Will Be So Critical for Indonesia: It’s Not Simply about Getting Rich
The government elected next year will have a long to-do list, not least of which is to continue pursuing meaningful development as Indonesia aspires to reach high income status by 2045.
The Ba‘Alawi of Indonesia: Genealogy and Identity
The debate in Indonesia about the origins of the Ba‘Alawi community reflects the fact that legitimacy is derived not only from lineage but social, historical and religious identity.
Anwar’s Unity Government: Striding Forward or Just Moonwalking?
Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government has survived some stern electoral tests of late. But he has his work cut out going forward.
The Urgent Need to Rejuvenate Public Green Spaces in Jakarta
There is already an existing solution to some of Jakarta’s urban pollution woes, but this requires the present government to more seriously revive and maintain the city’s much-needed green spaces.
Why Has Batam’s Rempang Eco-City National Project Become a Controversy?
Unhappiness among villagers in Rempang, close to Batam island, has led to riots in Batam City and threatens existing and future foreign investment. A small but diminishing window exists in which the local and central governments can improve their approach towards convincing residents of the need to relocate for a better future.
Climate Resilience in Southeast Asia: Adapt and Mitigate Before It’s Too Late
Southeast Asia must prioritise climate resilience, encompassing adaptation and mitigation. The process must be strategically managed, informed by data and applied across a broad range of solutions.
Vietnam and Washington’s “De-risking” Strategy: It’s the Economy, Stupid
The historic upgrade in Vietnam-U.S. relations has more to do with the economics than defence and security.
Does ASEAN Matter for Myanmar?
Now that the ASEAN Summit is over, serious questions remain about how exactly the regional grouping can begin to resolve the Myanmar crisis, despite stronger words and a slight toughening of position.
The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) – Ground-breaking or Ground to a Halt?
If ASEAN’s ten member states can negotiate and come to agree on the world’s first regional digital economy agreement, the region’s continued pace of digital transformation is set to soar. Whether its wings are clipped depends on a complex range of domestic, intra- and inter-regional factors, but at least things are looking promising.