COMMENTARIES

10 Apr 2023

If At First You Don’t Succeed: Australia Woos the Indo-Pacific on AUKUS

Blake Herzinger|Alice Nason

Australia made extensive diplomatic overtures to Asia prior to its March update about the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine arrangement with the United Kingdom and the United States. Canberra appears to have gained some traction in the region, but it should not rest on its laurels.

10 Apr 2023

Indonesia 2024: Coalition Manoeuvres Heading for A Single Presidential Candidate?

Max Lane

More elaborate politicking for the 2024 presidential race in Indonesia has not thrown up a clear frontrunner; watch this space.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

6 Apr 2023

The Curious Case of Cagayan: Localisation of U.S.-China Rivalry in the Philippines

Aries A. Arugay

The locus of superpower rivalry in the Indo-Pacific has gone down to the subnational level. The United States and China are engaged in a power competition for influence within local governments in the Philippines.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

6 Apr 2023

PDI-P’s Own Goal? Controversy over Indonesia’s Loss as U-20 FIFA World Cup Host

Burhanuddin Muhtadi

The political machinations behind the scenes that eventually led to Indonesia’s loss of its U-20 FIFA World Cup host rights might have serious repercussions for the frontrunner of not just the country’s 2024 presidential but also general elections.

Indonesia International Relations

6 Apr 2023

Political Dealmaking Will Determine the Winner and Twist Policy Outcomes in Thailand’s Election

Napon Jatusripitak|Mathis Lohatepanont

The policy trajectory of the next Thai government will depend on post-election coalitional configurations, not policy pledges.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

5 Apr 2023

Obstacles to Decarbonisation in Southeast Asia

Sharon Seah

Sharon Seah looks at decarbonisation challenges in Southeast Asia’s electricity generation, transportation and agriculture sectors, as well as other factors hampering such efforts.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Climate Change Renewable Energy Sustainable Development

5 Apr 2023

Military Modernisation in Southeast Asia: Learning from the Russia-Ukraine War

Ian Storey

Ian Storey examines the factors driving defence modernisation in Southeast Asia and how the region may draw lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war.

ASEAN ASEAN-Russia Relations ASEANFocus Defence Military

5 Apr 2023

Malls and Mosques: The Sights and Sounds of Indonesia’s Iftar

A'an Suryana|Ahmad Muhajir

During the month-long Ramadhan, Muslims in Indonesia observe the breaking of fasts in mosques, and increasingly, in shopping malls. The differences in observance of the ritual underscore a growing class divide and corresponding social tastes between different groups of Muslims.

Indonesia Islam

4 Apr 2023

Malaysia’s 15th General Election: Ethnicity Remains the Key Factor in Voter Preferences

Marzuki Mohamad|Ibrahim Suffian

The results of Malaysia’s 15th General Election revealed that ethnicity remains the key factor determining voter behaviour. But in a reversal of previous trends, the coalition that received the most support from the ethnic Malay majority is in the Opposition, while the coalition that received the least Malay support is leading the government. This suggests that the current political configuration is intrinsically fragile.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics