COMMENTARIES

17 Nov 2022

Considering the Optimism of Azyumardi Azra: The Future of Islam in Southeast Asia

Ahmad Najib Burhani

The late renowned Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra had unlimited optimism about Southeast Asia's position as the future of Islam.

16 Nov 2022

The G20 Summit: Who Makes the World’s Rules?

Zack Cooper

The Group of 7 are relatively aligned in their perceptions of global challenges, particularly when it comes to strategic competitors such as China and Russia, but the same perceptions do not hold true when it comes to the remaining members of the bigger Group of 20.

G20 G7 U.S. Foreign Policy

16 Nov 2022

ASEAN’s Season of Summitry: More Hits or Misses?

Sharon Seah|Joanne Lin|Melinda Martinus

Going into 2022, ASEAN flew into a perfect storm of challenges within and without. With the annual ASEAN summits over, the grouping is none the worse for the wear.

ASEAN ASEAN Summit Cambodia

14 Nov 2022

Polarised but Hopeful: How Malaysia’s Gen Zs May Vote, and Why

James Chai

This Long Read features the findings of a recent poll on the voter sentiments of Malaysia’s Gen Zs. A majority of Gen Zs hold low trust in the political actors that are running the country but are nonetheless still politically engaged. 79 per cent of them say that they will most likely turn out to vote in the coming election.

Demography Malaysia Malaysian Politics

14 Nov 2022

Worldview of the Nusantara: Indonesians More Nuanced on Foreign Policy Concerns

Julia Lau

While domestic concerns remain topmost on Indonesians’ minds and will still drive diplomacy, results from a survey in July 2022 hint at a more complex worldview.

Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy Indonesia National Survey Project 2022

11 Nov 2022

Sino-Indonesian Relations: Getting Closer or Further Apart?

Siwage Dharma Negara|Leo Suryadinata

China’s trade and investment in Indonesia have grown substantially since the early 2000s but the Indonesian public does not share Jakarta’s desire to wholeheartedly embrace Beijing.

China-Indonesia Relations Indonesia

10 Nov 2022

NasDem’s Endorsement of Anies Baswedan: Brilliant Gambit or Political Blunder?

Burhanuddin Muhtadi

The race for Indonesia’s 2024 presidency might be narrowing in the wake of a bold move by a small party.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

10 Nov 2022

Food, Floods and Finance at COP27: Southeast Asia Must Act

Prapimphan Chiengkul

Southeast Asian governments should support the call to set up a new global loss and damage (L&D) financing facility, empowered with a broad and responsive mandate. It is insufficient to merely strengthen old institutions. An L&D facility is in every country’s interest.

Climate Change Food Security

9 Nov 2022

Identity Politics Might Undermine Malay/Muslim Unity

Norshahril Saat

Three broad coalitions are gunning for the Malay/ Muslim vote in Malaysia’s general election. The question is whether voters still regard the issues of race and religion as important.

Identity Politics Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics