COMMENTARIES

13 Jan 2022

Indonesia’s South China Sea Confab: When Chin-wagging Counts

Ian Storey

Indonesia plans to convene a meeting with some of its ASEAN colleagues to discuss the South China Sea. The idea is not new, but this time it might just work.

13 Jan 2022

“Reform, Not Abolition”: The “Thai Youth Movement” and Its Demands for Reform of the Monarchy

Anusorn Unno

The Thai Monarchy has existed for centuries and despite official and public displays of love for and allegiance to the monarchy, it has constantly faced criticism. The call for its reform has gradually been incorporated into the contemporary Thai youth movement. From a dream, it has now developed into its dominant demand.

Thai Monarchy Thailand

10 Jan 2022

Malaysia on the Cusp of a New Political Order

Liew Chin Tong

The discourse on Malaysia’s political history has been in flux for some time. This Long Read revisits the series of political, economic and social ideas that have sustained previous political eras and explores what is to come.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

10 Jan 2022

Hun Sen’s Visit to Myanmar: A Cambodian View

Chheang Vannarith

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar has sparked controversy. The Cambodian view is that fostering a conducive environment for dialogue with the military junta would pave the way for the implementation of ASEAN's five-point consensus.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Cambodia Diplomacy Myanmar Myanmar Politics

10 Jan 2022

Hun Sen’s Cowboy Diplomacy: Quick Draw or Firing Blanks?

Sharon Seah

By visiting Myanmar, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has demonstrated some derring-do in trying to resolve the crisis in the country. That said, it could be argued that the trip has not moved the needle much.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Cambodia Diplomacy Myanmar Myanmar Politics

8 Jan 2022

Cambodia and Myanmar: The Need to Balance Pressure and Diplomacy

Joanne Lin|Moe Thuzar

Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar has provoked some controversy. As ASEAN chair, it behoves Cambodia to operationalise the grouping's five-point consensus on Myanmar.

ASEAN Cambodia Diplomacy Myanmar Myanmar Politics

7 Jan 2022

Vietnam’s High Vaccination Rates: So What?

Dien Nguyen An Luong

The Vietnamese government can rightly be proud of the great strides made in its vaccine rollout, but needs to do better in addressing the economic fallout of the pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccine Diplomacy Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

7 Jan 2022

Paperless Trade in ASEAN: A Long Way To Go

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Digitalising paperless trade across ASEAN will help the grouping strengthen supply chains amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But ASEAN has a long way to go.

ASEAN Asean Trade

6 Jan 2022

Policymakers’ View

Whatever Happened to the Middle Way?

Teo Chee Hean

In an increasingly fractious world, Singapore and like-minded countries can reclaim the middle ground and build greater consensus and cooperation. Speaking at ISEAS’ 25th Regional Outlook Forum today, Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, spoke of how this can be achieved. The full text of the speech at the online forum is below.

ASEAN China Policymakers’ View Southeast Asia U.S.

5 Jan 2022

Myanmar’s National Unity Consultative Council: A Vision of Myanmar’s Federal Future

Htet Myet Min Tun|Moe Thuzar

The National Unity Consultative Council has built on earlier models to map out a vision for Myanmar’s federal future. A key challenge would be to gain the trust of ethnic armed groups and political parties towards Bamar-dominated processes.

Federalism Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics Peace Talks