COMMENTARIES

7 Mar 2022

Timor-Leste’s Presidential Elections: A Quiet or Rowdy Neighbour for Indonesia?

Max Lane

There have been contentions in Timor Leste’s political landscape in the run-up to the presidential elections. But Indonesia has less to worry about, given that political parties across the spectrum support strong relations with Jakarta.

4 Mar 2022

Advancing U.S. Security Commitments to Southeast Asia Under Biden

Prashanth Parameswaran

Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine would accentuate concerns about Washington's security commitments to Southeast Asia. To gain further traction, Washington needs to invest in individual Southeast Asia countries and expand defence partnerships with allies and partners.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations Defence Maritime Security Security South China Sea

4 Mar 2022

Political Instability and Enhanced Monarchy in Malaysia

Shad Saleem Faruqi

Except in specific situations in which royal discretion is explicitly conferred, the Malaysian King is required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister. Lately, however, due to a widening trust deficit between citizens and government, there are calls for the monarchs to provide leadership and play an enhanced role in providing checks and balances against discredited political institutions.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Mar 2022

Putting a Floor Under Asia’s Sinking Cities

Dimas Fauzi

Rising sea levels will affect many Asian countries, particularly those in Southeast Asia. There needs to be fresh approaches and policies to manage what is termed a ‘super wicked problem.'

Climate Change Environment

3 Mar 2022

Threat to Amnesty International Reflects Climate of Repression in Thailand

Alexandra Dalferro

The recent move to expel Amnesty International from Thailand is yet another indicator of the growing influence of the ultra-royalist political faction in Thailand.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

3 Mar 2022

‘Stand, Stop, Imprison’: People’s Defiance against the Thai Establishment

Anusorn Unno

Protestors against the Thai establishment have found a new form of defiance: demanding offenders’ right to bail. The ‘Stand, Stop, Imprison’ campaign has spread far and wide, largely due to its less controversial nature.

Thai Politics Thailand

3 Mar 2022

From Remote Paradise to Levelled Villages: The Sit-Tat Assault on the ‘Yaw Valley’

Mary Callahan

The Yaw Valley, one of the most remote and bucolic areas in Myanmar’s Buddhist heartland, has seen fierce skirmishes between the military and local resistance forces. The junta sees the area as strategic as it sits on the road to the military’s headquarters at Kalay airport.

Armed Conflict Myanmar Myanmar Military

2 Mar 2022

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Poses Geopolitical Quandaries for Vietnam

Phan Xuan Dung

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine came as a surprise to Vietnam. It remains to be seen how Vietnam can leverage its long-held omni-directional foreign policy to manoeuvre out of the crisis.

Russia Ukraine Vietnam

2 Mar 2022

Parsing Objections to Moving Indonesia’s Capital

Yanuar Nugroho

There are substantial and valid concerns about the government’s decision to move Indonesia’s capital to East Kalimantan. It should have taken these concerns into account.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics Infrastructure

1 Mar 2022

Is ASEAN a Toothless Tiger in the Face of Ukraine Crisis?

Joanne Lin|William Choong

ASEAN says that it is ‘deeply concerned’ about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it has stopped short of condemning Moscow. The statement by the grouping reflects varied perspectives among member states. But it is important for smaller states in ASEAN to uphold the aegis of international law.

ASEAN ASEAN-Russia Relations Russia Ukraine