COMMENTARIES

28 Jul 2021

Why is Vietnam’s Military Modernisation Slowing?

Nguyen The Phuong

Security challenges presented by the South China Sea dispute led to Vietnam’s efforts to modernise its armed forces over the past two decades. However, after the fall of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2016, the procurement of major military assets has virtually ground to a halt.

Security South China Sea Vietnam Vietnamese Military

28 Jul 2021

Thailand’s No Sa-lim Shopping List: Taking Aim at Big Business

Wichuta Teeratanabodee

Thai pro-democracy protestors have started to boycott big businesses deemed as pro-regime. While the sheer pervasiveness of these companies makes effective boycott difficult, it has not deterred protestors from exercising their power as consumers.

Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand

28 Jul 2021

Secretary Austin’s Visit to Vietnam: Building Trust to Strengthen Defence Ties

Le Hong Hiep

The expected signing of a memorandum of understanding to resolve war legacy issues during US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s visit to Vietnam will go a long way in developing bilateral defence ties.

U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

27 Jul 2021

Congress and America’s Negative Turn Against China: Strategic Ballast

Robert Sutter

In recent years, the US Congress has played a major role in America’s unprecedented turn against China.

China-U.S. Relations U.S. Foreign Policy

27 Jul 2021

The United States’ “Mini” Shangri-La Dialogue: Stand and Deliver

William Choong

When Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, speaks at the 40th Fullerton Lecture in Singapore tonight, he will need to go beyond speaking about esoteric concepts such as the “rules-based international order” and promise that Washington will provide tangible deliverables in the form of pandemic assistance, economic growth and trade.

China-U.S. Relations Quad Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S. Foreign Policy

26 Jul 2021

ASEAN and the Problem of Legitimacy

Sharon Seah

ASEAN needs to decide whether Myanmar’s State Administration Council has the legal capacity to engage in international relations that has direct impact on ASEAN’s own legal capacity as an inter-governmental organisation.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Myanmar

26 Jul 2021

The Religious Challenges Behind Enforcing Emergency Covid-19 Restrictions

Syafiq Hasyim

Although the mainstream Muslim organisations had supported closing mosques during Indonesia’s current round of emergency Covid-19 restrictions, the government subsequently compromised. This is another indication of the growing influence of conservative Muslim voices on Muslim issues.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia Religion

23 Jul 2021

Indonesia Suspends Paid Vaccination Programme: Signs of Growing Political Pressure

Max Lane

In Indonesia, a paid vaccination programme bombed out in a span of days. Putting economics above health priorities had added to the negative political climate for the government.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia