COMMENTARIES

8 Jun 2026

No Longer Poor: Can Laos be Clean, Green and Great?

Anoulak Kittikhoun

Anoulak Kittikhoun argues that as Laos prepares to graduate from the United Nations’ least developed country category, the bigger challenge is no longer escaping poverty but building a future defined by clean space and green growth.

21 May 2026

Why Methane Emission Reduction Matters for ASEAN

Shivenes Shammugam|Jihyun Kang

Shivenes Shammugam and Jihyun Kang argue that although ASEAN countries have recognised the importance of methane mitigation, implementation remains uneven but Korea’s experience as an ASEAN dialogue partner could help bridge this gap.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Climate Change Sustainable Development

14 May 2026

ASEAN’s Collective Resilience Agenda: Can It Deliver Under Pressure?

Joanne Lin|Kristina Fong Siew Leng|Melinda Martinus

Joanne Lin, Kristina Fong and Melinda Martinus argue that as global crises become increasingly interconnected, ASEAN faces mounting pressure to strengthen energy security, maritime cooperation, and crisis coordination before the next disruption strikes.

ASEAN ASEAN Summit ASEANFocus Energy Supply Chains

Vietnamese President To Lam (centre) and Singapore PM Lawrence Wong at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue on 29 May 2026 in Singapore. (Photo from Lawrence Wong / Facebook)

9 Jun 2026

To Lam’s Regional Tour: From Hedger to Shaper

Nguyen Khac Giang

To Lam’s regional tour of Southeast Asia shows that Hanoi is shifting to a posture of shaping the rules of the game, rather than merely seeking to mitigate the risks of a fluid strategic environment.

ASEAN Security Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

8 Jun 2026

The Myanmar Military’s “New” Narrative: Caveat Emptor

Billy Ford

The new Myanmar regime’s narrative about promoting stability and strengthening international relations belies the instability and devastation its coup unleashed on the country.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics

Motorbikes and cars pass through a city intersection in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Photo by MICHAEL NGUYEN / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP)

5 Jun 2026

Southeast Asia’s High-Income Aspirants Should Focus on Quality of Growth

Vinod Thomas

The vast minority of middle-income countries graduate to high-income status. Past strategies that prioritised physical capital must give way to a quality of growth approach premised on investment in human and natural capital.

Economic Development Energy Environment Southeast Asia

5 Jun 2026

Beyond Bamboo Diplomacy: Vietnam’s Shrinking Room for Manoeuvre

Nguyen Phuong Linh

Vietnam’s foreign policy has typically been described as bamboo diplomacy. This still holds true, but decision-making is increasingly being constrained by domestic considerations.

China-Vietnam Relations U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

4 Jun 2026

Vietnam’s Reconfigured Leadership: Personnel and Power in the “New Era”

Nguyen Khac Giang

This Long Read assesses one of Vietnam’s most consequential leadership transitions in decades, following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in January 2026 and the 16th National Assembly elections in March 2026.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

4 Jun 2026

Walking Malaysia’s Oil Shock Tightrope: Assisting Society While Stewarding Deficits

Firdausi Suffian

If the war in Iran does not end soon, the Malaysian government must have more arrows in its energy policy quiver.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy

3 Jun 2026

Southeast Asia Between the Giants

Piper Campbell|Joanne Lin

Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Piper Campbell and Joanne Lin about Southeast Asia operating amid rivalry between China and the US. Ambassador Campbell is the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security, American University. She has taught at the university since January 2020. This followed a distinguished, 30-year diplomatic career. Joanne Lin is the coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS.

China Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia US