COMMENTARIES

23 Mar 2026

Are Electric Vehicles a Green Window of Opportunity for ASEAN Countries?

Martin Schröder

EV-related industries hold out substantial promise, but ASEAN countries must be clear-eyed about the opportunities, complexities, and risks.

ASEAN Electric Vehicles

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions at a budget committee session of the House of Councillors in Parliament in Tokyo on 16 March 2026. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

20 Mar 2026

China’s Retaliation Against Japan and the Implications for Southeast Asia

Lye Liang Fook

Lye Liang Fook argues that Beijing’s retaliatory measures against Japan could increase pressure on ASEAN countries, making it important for ASEAN to continue emphasising restraint and peaceful dialogue.

19 Mar 2026

Cross-Causeway Consumption: Singaporean Shoppers and the Evolving Economy of Johor’s Ramadan Bazaars

Siti Suhaila Bte Mohd Harith|Amirul Adli Rosli

Variety and affordability are the spice of life for fans of Ramadan bazaars on both sides of the Causeway.

Malaysia Singapore

18 Mar 2026

LGBTQ Issues in Malaysia and the Politics of Conservative Modernity

Syaza Shukri

Malaysia’s ruling government has a tough balancing act to pull off on the reform front.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

17 Mar 2026

The Rise of Iran’s Third Rahbar, Mojtaba Khamenei, and Implications for Malaysia’s Shia Community

Mohd Faizal Musa

The ascension of Iran’s new Supreme Leader bears implications for the validity of his late father’s rulings and their faith’s adherents in this region.

Islam Malaysia Political Islam

A Vietnamese cryptocurrency investor looking at the latest Bitcoin values on a smartphone in Hanoi on 12 February 2026. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)

17 Mar 2026

From Speculation to Disclosure: Steering Crypto to Create Value in Southeast Asia

David Lam

Requiring disclosures is an essential step for building integrity and unlocking the potential of blockchain technology.

ASEAN Cryptocurrency Economy

17 Mar 2026

Trump’s Global Agenda Flies into Domestic Headwinds

Derek Grossman

Domestic factors will increasingly limit Trump’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement.

U.S. Foreign Policy US

16 Mar 2026

Indonesia’s Aircraft Carrier: White Horse or White Elephant?

Ian Storey

Indonesia’s plans to acquire a second-hand aircraft carrier from Italy have been derided. The warship is more a symbol of Indonesia’s global aspirations than an operational asset for the country’s navy.

Defence Indonesia

Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar at the meeting of the National Finance Council in Putrajaya, Malaysia on 5 March 2026. (Photo from Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar / Facebook)

16 Mar 2026

Perikatan Nasional’s Opposition Leader Dilemma

Norshahril Saat

Perikatan Nasional has been in a pickle over who will assume the role of opposition leader. While it has finally been decided that PAS should lead the coalition, PN’s marketability as a viable alternative to the ruling coalition remains in doubt.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

13 Mar 2026

What is Shaping Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Policies in Southeast Asia?

Kristina Fong Siew Leng

Over the past couple of years, countries in Southeast Asia, as well as ASEAN as a whole, have made great efforts to formulate guardrails around Artificial Intelligence (AI) design, deployment and usage. This Long Read examines the state of play thus far.

Artificial Intelligence Southeast Asia Technology