The credibility of AI governance in Southeast Asia will be decided not by the volume of frameworks that exist, but by whether some identifiable institution has the authority to stop a deployment, the independence to use it, and the technical capacity to justify it, and whether its decisions can be reconstructed afterwards.
Category Archives: Long Reads
Myanmar’s Emerging Governance Mosaic
This Long Read presents a broad overview of a mosaic of governance building efforts from many discrete groups across Myanmar. Whether this mosaic, when complete, will demonstrate a less discordant pattern that truly represents the voices of heterogeneous communities remains to be seen.
The Trap That is Thailand’s Legacy of Diplomatic Success
Bamboo diplomacy has long been the default language of Thai foreign policy. The Long Read argues that, under conditions of intensifying geopolitical competition, the very script that is remembered as Thailand’s survival method can make it harder for the country to define and pursue a distinctive strategic role.
PAS’s Evolving International Engagement: From Islamism to Development Diplomacy?
Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) foreign policy outlook has evolved rather than fundamentally changed. While the party continues to prioritise global Islamic solidarity, governing experience has expanded its international engagement from ideological networks to state-led economic diplomacy.
The Perils of Vietnam’s Land-led Growth
Vietnam is using land to pay for growth. This Long Read highlights the danger that land finance is hardening into a self-reinforcing growth model, arguing that Vietnam must make land finance more transparent, more competitive and less central to the economy’s balance sheet.
Beyond the Symbolism: Organisational Networks and the Conditional Electoral Power of Nahdlatul Ulama
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is not a monolithic voting bloc. NU’s numerical strength has never guaranteed consolidated electoral support. This Long Read presents the statistical analysis of large-scale provincial and nationwide surveys analysing the factors that determine how NU members and affiliates actually vote.
Competing Islamic Ideologies and Influence Operations in Indonesia: The Case of Ghazwul Fikri in Cyberspace
This Long Read argues that the rise of the influence industry has reshaped online discourses among different Indonesian Islamic groups. While these debates may emerge organically, the involvement of cybertroopers in steering online conversations on critical issues has altered the power dynamics among these Islamic groups.
The Indonesia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade: Three Views on its Economic and Strategic Impacts
The Indonesia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade was signed on 19 February 2026 but has yet to be ratified by Indonesia. In this Long Read, three experts from the government and from academia share their views on the potential impacts of the agreement on Indonesia’s economy, trade relations, domestic policy, and reform direction.
The “Karenni Model”: Wartime Governance in Contested Territory
The Karenni governance experience in Myanmar explains how wartime governance emerges and is sustained under intensified conflict, fragmented political orders, and uneven international engagement. But this requires continued efforts to maintain minimum levels of territorial security and de-escalate conflict.
Gig Workers in Malaysia: Is the New Law a Good Deal?
Malaysia’s Gig Workers Act, which took effect in April 2026, is a legislative milestone for the Madani administration. Malaysia’s 1.64 million gig workers stand to gain from the introduction of contractual frameworks, mandatory injury insurance, dispute settlement mechanisms, and a consultative council for setting minimum earnings. However, various policy gaps still need to be addressed.