This Long Read assesses one of Vietnam’s most consequential leadership transitions in decades, following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in January 2026 and the 16th National Assembly elections in March 2026.
Category Archives: Long Reads
How Should Southeast Asia Respond to Carney’s Davos Clarion Call?
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posited that the world order was not experiencing a “transition” but rather a “rupture” from the global system established in the aftermath of the Second World War. For Southeast Asia, and its primary institutional forum – ASEAN – this means recognising that some of its most cherished principles might no longer be entirely valid and reassessing traditional assumptions about regional cohesion and commonality of interests.
Southeast Asia and the Third Gulf War: Impact, Responses and Implications
This Long Read examines the Iran war’s impact on Southeast Asia’s energy and food security, the measures regional governments have implemented to ease the situation, and assesses the geopolitical implications for the region.
Danantara’s Patriot Bond and the Unchanged Role of Chinese-Indonesian Conglomerates
The Patriot Bond issued by Danantara shows that Indonesia’s economic nationalism under Prabowo is a repackaging of long-standing state–business ties using new financial instruments. The dominance of Chinese Indonesian conglomerates among Patriot Bond subscribers highlights their enduring role in Indonesia’s political economy.
The Philippines’ Engagement with Japan: A Steady and Deepening Strategic Partnership
As the Philippines faces a more complex strategic environment, security cooperation with like-minded countries is critical. This Long Read examines the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines, particularly under the Marcos Jr administration.
Media Literacy in Malaysia: A Vital Reliance on Network Confirmation
This Long Read reports findings from a study investigating how Malaysians practise media literacy in a fast-moving and often untrustworthy media landscape. A key finding is that respondents with busy schedules who still want to verify the information they come across, turn to leveraging trusted social networks.
Youth’s Solidarity Beyond Borders: What Encourages Indonesian Muslim Students to Boycott Israel?
This Long Read shares the key findings of a survey examining the factors that predispose Indonesian Muslim undergraduates to engaging in a worldwide activist movement to boycott Israel.
Southeast Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Edging Closer in an Era of Geopolitical Churn
Over the past three decades, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has significantly expanded its geographical footprint, membership and functional cooperative activities. This Long Read provides a detailed examination of Southeast Asia’s engagement with the organisation.
What is Shaping Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Policies in Southeast Asia?
Over the past couple of years, countries in Southeast Asia, as well as ASEAN as a whole, have made great efforts to formulate guardrails around Artificial Intelligence (AI) design, deployment and usage. This Long Read examines the state of play thus far.
Islam-State Relations under Prabowo: More Carrots and More Sticks, But Less Progressive and Less Civil?
This Long Read examines President Prabowo Subianto’s relationship with the various Islamic organisations in Indonesia. While mainstream groups like Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah continue to be considered strategic allies, there has also been greater tolerance of hardline Islamist groups.