COMMENTARIES

8 Jul 2022

Jokowi’s “Peace Mission” to Europe: Well-intentioned But Fruitless

Ian Storey

Indonesia President Joko Widodo’s visit to Ukraine and Russia was quite remarkable. But the trip achieved little in finding a way out of the current impasse between Kyiv and Moscow.

8 Jul 2022

Climate Change Calls for Less U.S.-China Rivalry and More Renewables

Prapimphan Chiengkul

As climate change threatens to reshape global politics and domestic agendas, Southeast Asian governments would do well to court both Washington and Beijing in their quest for a green transition.

China China-U.S. Relations Climate Change Environment Sustainable Development U.S.

7 Jul 2022

Australia and ASEAN Relations: Hard Yakka Ahead

William Choong

Australia has made significant inroads in its engagement with ASEAN. But Canberra’s relationship with the grouping will be a hard slog, given their differences in approaching China and ensuring that Sino-U.S. rivalry does not derail regional aspirations.

ASEAN ASEAN-Australia Relations

7 Jul 2022

‘Tell the RCEP Story Well’: The Salience of RCEP in China’s Global Discourse

Hoang Thi Ha

China has gone to extensive lengths to underscore the tangible benefits arising from its participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. But Beijing’s criticism of the United States as being anti-globalist is overdone.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China RCEP

6 Jul 2022

Vietnam’s App-based Driver Protests Surge amidst Rising Petrol Prices

Joe Buckley

Collective strikes by app-based drivers in Vietnam are using strategies previously employed by workers from more traditional sectors. As petrol prices rise, the heat is on the app companies to respond to growing demands for change.

Labour Market Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

5 Jul 2022

Could Franchising Help Save The Planet?

Michael Schaper

The franchising sector has the capacity to play a lead role in reducing emissions, but appears to be a bit of a blind spot for climate change support and action by governments.

ASEAN Environment Sustainable Development

5 Jul 2022

The Paradox of Malaysia’s Lowering of Voting Age – Expanded Enfranchisement Devalued by More Unequal Representation

James Chai

In Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional had long benefited from its dominance over the smaller rural constituencies, winning more seats even if they performed poorly in the larger, under-represented urban constituencies. CA2019 aggravates this phenomenon because the new young voters tend to be located in the urban areas.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Jul 2022

Indonesia’s New Workers Party: Ambiguity in Labour Politics

Max Lane

The formation of a new Workers Party backed by the country’s labour unions signifies a new trend in Indonesian politics.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

4 Jul 2022

Has ASEAN Reached the Point of Diminishing Returns with Myanmar?

Sharon Seah|Moe Thuzar

The State Administration Council has cleverly gamed the ASEAN system for its own ends and dragged out the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. It is time for ASEAN to pack more punch into the office of the Special Envoy to Myanmar.

ASEAN Diplomacy International Relations Myanmar