The world is transitioning out of a U.S.-led international order, but there is not yet clarity on the attributes of the next international order that will take its place. This Long Read argues that the period of transition could be turbulent, but it need not be destructive to the upward growth prospects of Southeast Asia.
Category Archives: Long Reads
East of Where? The Future of UK’s Asia Policy
UK domestic politics has shifted towards a more populist orientation, and this has generated shifts in its foreign policy. Liberal internationalism is out of fashion and hard-nosed realism is gaining dominance.
Recalibrating Southeast Asia’s Climate and Energy Strategies Amid US Policy Shifts
The US government has withdrawn globally from climate and clean energy engagement, undermining prospects for clean energy and climate collaboration with Southeast Asia. On the flipside, China’s historic climate-related finance in the region has far outpaced that of the US, particularly in infrastructure-heavy projects. While the loss of US climate finance may not be detrimental in the near-term, it does undermine the region’s support of environmental governance, and civil society and institutional capacity to pursue its climate efforts.
To Lam’s Foreign Policy Leadership in the “Era of National Rise”
Since assuming power in August 2024, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam has pursued bold reforms with urgency. Economic diplomacy has been a central focus, aimed at mobilising international resources for economic restructuring and technological upgrading. He has also engaged Washington, traditional partners China and Russia, and other major powers with equal vigour, pursuing pragmatic multi-alignment to advance national interests.
The AI-Robotics Revolution, China-US Rivalry and Southeast Asia
China is best positioned to achieve mass implementation of ‘embodied AI’, i.e., the integration of AI with robotics. This provides significant opportunities for Southeast Asian economies keen to develop real-world applications of AI. However, how far countries will go in adopting China’s AI technology stack will be shaped by US-China strategic competition, which is increasingly being played out in the AI and robotics sectors.
Türkiye’s Defence Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: The New Kid on the Block
Over the past ten years, Türkiye has increased its share of the global arms market and has become an attractive defence partner for countries in the Global South. In Southeast Asia, Turkish arms manufacturers have taken advantage of rising defence budgets to win contracts for military vehicles, drones, missiles and naval ships.
Floating Prices, Fearing Backlash: Economics and Politics of Malaysia’s Petrol Subsidy Reform
Malaysia’s persistently narrow tax base and declining oil and gas revenue underscore the case for fuel subsidy reform. The Long Read assesses the political context and constraints that shape the policy options available to Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani administration.
From Defensive to Dynamic: Vietnam’s Thirty-Year Journey in ASEAN
This Long Read reviews the historical significance of Vietnam’s ASEAN accession and examines how Vietnam’s approach to ASEAN has evolved in tandem with its national development, shifting security outlook, and institutional maturation over the past three decades.
Outlook for Agriculture and ASEAN’s Role in Southeast Asia’s Food Security
Southeast Asia’s agriculture sector’s growth rates are not keeping pace with population and national economic growth due to chronic underinvestment. Southeast Asian nations need to prioritise actions that help ensure its food security, especially amid increasing challenges from climate change.
Elite Competition and Narrative Inconsistency in Vietnam’s Propaganda Apparatus
This Long Read argues that Vietnam’s propaganda apparatus is increasingly shaped by internal tensions between two informal but influential elite coalitions. On one side are conservative actors embedded in the military and ideology apparatus, who prioritise ideological orthodoxy and regime security. On the other are reformist pragmatists, often drawn from diplomatic and economic institutions, who place greater emphasis on performance legitimacy, international engagement, and administrative modernisation.