COMMENTARIES

19 Apr 2023

Leveraging the Rise of Digital Economy for Sustainability

Melinda Martinus

Melinda Martinus calls for ASEAN to harness the rise of the digital economy beyond profit to focus on the people and environment.

19 Apr 2023

Indonesia’s Potential Presidential Candidates and Two Superpowers

Leo Suryadinata

Washington and Beijing – like Indonesian voters – are getting to know more about Indonesia’s prospective presidential candidates.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections

19 Apr 2023

Renewable Energy Investment in ASEAN: Unfolding Trajectories and Challenges

Kaho Yu

Kaho Yu lists four enabling factors that could help ASEAN to drive its renewable energy transition.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Energy Renewable Energy Sustainable Development

19 Apr 2023

Why China is Vexed About the U.S.-Philippine EDCA

Ma Bo

China takes a dim view of Manila’s decision to grant the United States access to four military bases. While the two allies have framed the arrangement as bolstering deterrence vis-à-vis China, such a move is unlikely to deter Beijing.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

18 Apr 2023

Same Moon, Different Dates for Hari Raya (Again!)

Norshahril Saat

Some countries in Southeast Asia might end up celebrating Hari Raya on different dates, but this should not detract them from the higher goals of Ramadhan.

Indonesia Islam Malaysia Singapore

18 Apr 2023

Making Sense of Cambodia’s Reaction to AUKUS

Chansambath Bong

Cambodia’s reaction to the trilateral nuclear-technology sharing deal between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States can best be described as lukewarm. It would be an oversimplification to say that AUKUS will have no adverse effects on Southeast Asia.

AUKUS Cambodia

17 Apr 2023

Thailand’s Right-Wing Parties: Keeping Democracy Close But Its Enemies Closer

Treethep Srisa-nga

Some democracy advocates may look to eradicating right-wing parties in the political landscape come the elections in May. But it should be noted that not all right-wing parties are harmful to democracy.

Thai Politics Thailand

17 Apr 2023

From Duterte’s “Pivot to China” to Marcos Jr.’s “Rebalance to the U.S.”?

Aaron Jed Rabena

Marcos Jr. appears to be setting the Philippines in a different direction where foreign policy is concerned but, like his predecessors, faces the challenge of navigating Sino-U.S. rivalry alongside Sino-Philippine maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

14 Apr 2023

What’s Interesting about the Thai General Election is not Who Wins but What Comes After

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Pheu Thai (PT), Thailand’s chief opposition party, looks certain to win the largest number of House seats in the upcoming general election on 14 May. But coming first in the poll does not guarantee PT the lead in forming a new government.

Thai Elections Thailand

14 Apr 2023

Fertiliser Security for Food Security in Southeast Asia: Going Local and Circular

Elyssa Kaur Ludher

Southeast Asia is highly dependent on a volatile global supply of synthetic fertilisers. Local fertiliser production by natural means, through novel innovations, offer more sustainable alternatives worthy of policy action.

Agriculture Food Security Southeast Asia