The strengthening of the Russia-China strategic nexus affects Vietnam more than any other Southeast Asian country. Hanoi is concerned that Beijing may use its leverage with Moscow to undermine Vietnam’s interests in the South China Sea.
Category Archives: Long Reads
Being a Member of an Online Group Can Make You More Accepting of Fake News: The Case of Thailand
This article explores the dynamics of information sharing in online political groups. It tests whether being a member of an online group can make individuals more susceptible to fake news.
Vietnam-U.S. Security Cooperation Prospects under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
This Long Read explains why despite the recent upgrade in diplomatic status, Vietnam-U.S. security cooperation has not reached a new level.
Advancing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific Beyond Indonesia’s Chairmanship
While Indonesia’s Chairmanship in 2023 has advanced the AOIP’s implementation through tangible projects and activities, ASEAN needs to prioritise a consistent and impactful implementation of the AOIP across successive Chairmanships.
Rhetorical Sympathy for the Palestinian Struggle in Malaysia and the Poignant Misuse of ‘Zionism’
Malaysia’s online and offline support for Palestine in light of the 7 October 2023 attacks seems to indicate a dualism in solidarity— voluble support for the Palestinian cause juxtaposed with opposition to taking in Palestinian refugees and asylum seekers.
China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) in Southeast Asia: Progress and Challenges
China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) initiative has made significant strides in Southeast Asia. All countries in the region have received DSR investments, with Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia taking the lion’s share. However, China faces multiple challenges in pushing the DSR forward, including the growing tensions between the state and private tech companies domestically as well as intensifying US-China technological rivalry and risks of tech bifurcation.
The Twin Axis in Indonesian Politics: Elite Personal Ambition and the Alienation of Civil Society
This Long Read argues that a 20-year process of consolidation of a homogeneous political outlook among the parties controlling the Indonesian electoral scene has facilitated a political life that is dominated by personal rivalry and ambitions, and which has opened the way for dynasty building.
Collaboration Between Pheu Thai and Move Forward Parties on Their Core Issues Will Determine Thailand’s Future
Thailand’s Pheu Thai-led coalition government is struggling to amend the Constitution of 2017, or to draft a new replacement for it. Not much progress can be made on that front, however, unless and until the Move Forward Party provides support.
The Prabowo-Gibran Pairing: Wise or Foolish?
Polls suggest that Prabowo Subianto’s decision to pick President Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his vice-presidential running-mate has been a net positive, despite the controversies and criticisms surrounding the circumstances under which Gibran’s eligibility to contest the polls were approved.
Myanmar-Russia Relations Since the Coup: An Ever Tighter Embrace
Myanmar-Russia relations have strengthened considerably since Moscow acknowledged the Tatmadaw’s seizure of power on 1 February 2021, and the junta endorsed the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. This Long Read focuses on the four main areas of Myanmar-Russia cooperation since the coup: diplomatic validation; defence; energy; and commerce and tourism.