With about two years left in power, Jokowi needs a viable roadmap and sound execution of policies to achieve significant results for his stated priorities. This Long Read proposes some steps to consider.
Category Archives: Long Reads
Southeast Asia Holds Mixed Perceptions of the Biden Administration
The State of Southeast Asia 2022 indicates that Southeast Asians have put more trust in the US under the Biden administration but that the level of trust is uneven among different countries.
“France’s Third Path” for the Indo-Pacific? Credentials and Challenges
Considering itself part of the Indo-Pacific on the grounds of history and overseas territories, France has released its Indo-Pacific strategy to guide its international action in this region.
The Biden Administration and Southeast Asia: One Year in Review
The Biden administration’s engagement with Southeast Asia in 2021 gained momentum in the second half of the year after a slow start. In 2022, the US will be assessed on the value of its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a clearer articulation of its Indo-Pacific strategy and the extent to which it demonstrates genuine efforts to upgrade relations with ASEAN.
Climate Finance in Southeast Asia: Trends and Opportunities
The Covid-19 crisis has stalled the delivery of much-needed climate finance to developing countries. For Southeast Asia, a region frequently cited as being one of the most vulnerable regions threatened by climate change, the broken promise of climate finance is highly disappointing.
Adjusting Towards a Digital Economy: The Critical Role of Labour Mobility
The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the move towards a digital economy, as well as other aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There are fears that this accelerated transition will exacerbate wealth inequalities both within countries and regionally.
Tackling the Challenges of Financial Inclusion and Illegal Lending in Indonesia
The heavy financial toll of the pandemic on Indonesia’s poor has led to spikes in illegal moneylending activity. Urgent steps are needed to protect the vulnerable from the risks of financial exploitation.
“We are Independent Trolls”: The Efficacy of Royalist Digital Activism in Thailand
This Long Read examines the complex intersection of regime-organised cyber troops, pro-regime media outlets, and royalist activists in Thailand. Unlike the first group, the pro-regime press and royalist civic groups are not necessarily sponsored by the regime, but are instead ideologically driven to defend the crown.
“Reform, Not Abolition”: The “Thai Youth Movement” and Its Demands for Reform of the Monarchy
The Thai Monarchy has existed for centuries and despite official and public displays of love for and allegiance to the monarchy, it has constantly faced criticism. The call for its reform has gradually been incorporated into the contemporary Thai youth movement. From a dream, it has now developed into its dominant demand.
Malaysia on the Cusp of a New Political Order
The discourse on Malaysia’s political history has been in flux for some time. This Long Read revisits the series of political, economic and social ideas that have sustained previous political eras and explores what is to come.