COMMENTARIES

14 May 2021

Is the East Asia Summit Suffering Erosion?

Hoang Thi Ha|Malcolm Cook

Over the last decade, the EAS, by default and by ASEAN’s design, has been the peak mechanism in the ASEAN-led regional architecture. Keeping it so will not be easy, amidst shifting big-power dynamics and the growing attractiveness of smaller and more effective regional mechanisms.

A man takes a selfie in front of the Oriental Pearl Tower

12 May 2021

Book Review: A Cheery Optimism About Asia’s Rise and Its Future

Daljit Singh

The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict and Culture in the 21st Century by Parag Khanna is about the rise of Asia, its future prospects and its complex relationship with the West. Notwithstanding occasional analytical lapses, it is an engaging read with many rich vignettes of information and interesting observations.

Asia Pacific China China-U.S. Relations Economic Development Southeast Asia

12 May 2021

In Conversation with Parag Khanna

William Choong

In this inaugural episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, sits down with Parag Khanna to discuss his book, “The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict and Culture in the 21st Century”.

ASEAN Asia Pacific China-U.S. Relations Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia

12 May 2021

Speaking Out on Politics in Indonesia: More Opportunity, More Fear

Max Lane

Despite a legacy of citizen passivity from the New Order era, elite fear of the freedom social media promises remains strong.

Human Rights Indonesia Indonesian Politics

12 May 2021

The UMNO General Assembly and the Rocky Road Back to Putrajaya

Norshahril Saat

In the May 2018 general election, UMNO lost power for the first time in history but clawed back into government in March 2020 through defections from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. However, the party is now deeply split. A close examination of the positions of various UMNO leaders demonstrates that not all is well within the party, and its path to recapture Putrajaya is rocky.

Bersatu Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO

11 May 2021

Muhyiddin’s Special Envoy to the Middle East: Largely Ceremonial

Fauzan A. Roslee

Hadi Awang, the Malaysian prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East, has done little to advance Kuala Lumpur’s interests in that region. His role is more political than functional.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Middle East

10 May 2021

The ASEAN Way: Zen and the Art of Great Power Maintenance

William Choong

Recent official rejections of China’s “nine dash line” claims in the South China Sea by Southeast Asian disputant states are not about closer alignment with the US.

ASEAN ASEAN Neutrality ASEAN-China Relations U.S. Foreign Policy

7 May 2021

Biden Versus Trump in Southeast Asia: Where the Rubber Meets the Road 

Malcolm Cook

Expectations of the Biden Administration’s engagement with Southeast Asia are running high, but, like his predecessor, President Biden did not register any meetings or phone calls with Southeast Asian leaders in his first three months in office.

Southeast Asia U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

6 May 2021

DAP Johor Party Elections: A “Fourpeat” for State Chief Liew Chin Tong

Kevin Zhang|Francis E. Hutchinson

Liew Chin Tong’s win in the Johor state party elections is a win for Lim Kit Siang in the coming DAP national party elections.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

5 May 2021

Vietnam’s 2021 National Assembly Election: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Nhu Truong

The process of self-nomination to Vietnam’s legislature is fraught with political peril, which reflects the calibrated rules of the election under the communist regime.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics