COMMENTARIES

22 Dec 2020

The “Indo-Pacific” is Here to Stay

Daljit Singh

While the aspirational adjectives that prefix it may change, the Indo-Pacific will better reflect the strategic geography of the new era of great power contestation.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin

21 Dec 2020

Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail: End of the Line?

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

A truncated high-speed rail service that ends in Johor Bahru rather than Singapore will significantly reduce the potential economic benefits of the railway project.

Malaysia Malaysia-Singapore Relations Singapore

Activists take part in a demonstration on the last day of a three-day nationwide strike

18 Dec 2020

The Widodo Government in 2020: The Tadpole Flails

Max Lane

Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election is looming large on the horizon as Jokowi’s image wanes.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

A Vietnamese policewoman uses a mobile phone

18 Dec 2020

Could Vietnam Deploy a Social Credit System Like in China?

Nicolas Lainez

While Vietnam offers a favourable authoritarian environment, the inherent political risks may preclude its introduction.

China Technology Vietnam

International Human Rights Day in Manila

17 Dec 2020

A Duterte-Democrat President Redux?

Malcolm Cook

A Biden Administration will see strong headwinds as it pertains to Washington’s relations with Manila.

Human Rights Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

15 Dec 2020

RCEP and Intra-ASEAN Trade

Shankaran Nambiar

ASEAN Centrality would not be very meaningful if intra-ASEAN trade remains shallow.

Asean Trade Global Value Chains RCEP

15 Dec 2020

Policymakers' View

ASEAN-Australia Partnership Amid the Pandemic: Deepening Ties in Challenging Times

Will Nankervis

During the Covid-19 crisis, Australia has doubled down on its support for ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific. The ASEAN-Australia partnership has emerged stronger than ever.

ASEAN Australia COVID-19 Policymakers’ View

A child reaches for a giant bubble in Central Park

15 Dec 2020

Opening-up Travel in Southeast Asia: Blowing Bubbles Into Balloons

Jayant Menon

Quarantine-free travel in Southeast Asia is unlikely anytime soon, but regional countries can double efforts to move travel bubbles into bigger travel balloons.

ASEAN COVID-19 Open Borders

Adm. Phil Davidson and Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha

14 Dec 2020

Policymakers' View

US Indo-Pacific Command: Standing with Allies and Partners Amid the Pandemic

Philip S. Davidson

In this special contribution to Fulcrum, Admiral Philip Davidson, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, stresses that the US’ largest geographic combatant command will continue to work with allies and partners across the region, particularly those in Southeast Asia. He argues that there is a growing “strategic convergence” between the US and the region.

Indo-Pacfic Policymakers’ View Southeast Asia U.S.