As of 28 May 2021, ASEAN countries had authorised a total of US$ 730 billion, equivalent to 7.8% of ASEAN’s total GDP, in stimulus dollars. But few ASEAN countries have prioritised green components to their Covid-19 stimulus packages.
Category Archives: Long Reads
Biden’s ‘China Challenge’ and Domestic Politics: Implications for Southeast Asia
Under President Biden, Southeast Asia is dealing with a US administration that remains determined to compete with and confront China but is mired in political paralysis caused by deep ideological divisions. This will constrain the US’ ability to act as a reliable security and economic partner in the region.
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: Overcoming the Trust Deficit on the Mekong
The Lancang Mekong Cooperation has suffered a deficit of trust following the publication of a study in April 2020 raising concerns over the impact of Chinese mainstream dams on the Mekong’s water flow. To overcome the trust deficit on the Mekong, it is important to depoliticise hydrological science by ensuring compliance with standard research procedures and collaboration among relevant institutions.
Trade and Environmental Disputes May Persist Despite Promising Leaders’ Summit on Climate
At the recent Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change convened by the Biden Administration, several ASEAN leaders emphasised the principle of differentiating levels of economic development between states in their response to climate change. Finding a balance between this principle and ambitious climate targets remains a challenge.
Major Parties Lacking Candidates with a Winning Chance in Bangkok’s Gubernatorial Election
The election for the post of governor of Bangkok is due to take place in the last quarter of this year. However, Thailand’s major political parties lack suitable candidates with realistic chances of victory.
Tracking the Swelling COVID-19 Vaccine Chatter on TikTok in Indonesia
On Indonesian TikTok, anti-vaccine messages are often mixed with global Covid-19 conspiracy theories and merged with domestic anti-government and anti-Chinese sentiments. They are also typically couched in religious discourse and spread by religious micro-influencers.
Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong: The Rising Influence of Muslim Mainstream Groups
The banning of FPI (Front Pembela Islam) in December 2020 may have reduced the incidence of vigilante actions in Indonesia. But this belies the fact that mainstream Muslim organisations have increasingly stepped in to uphold more conservative Islamic strictures, albeit through less confrontational ways.
Ethnic Armed Organisations in Post-Coup Myanmar: New Conversations Needed
The widespread attacks on Tatmadaw troops by resistance forces have raised speculation that Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) could serve as a “wild card” that might decide the country’s fate. This is premature and creates a false impression of unity in intent.
ASEAN’s Climate Cooperation with China and the US: Challenges and Prospects
The US is back in the international climate cooperation game, but it has a lot to catch up on to make up for the last four years when it chose not to play.
Political Parties’ Manoeuvring after the Jokowi-Prabowo Rapprochement
The rapprochement of Jokowi and Prabowo has resulted in the unusual absence of a polarising rivalry among the main political parties. Nor have there been fundamental differences among parties over major policy questions. Instead, their manoeuvres have been concerned with positioning their choice of presidential candidates for the 2024 elections.