COMMENTARIES

19 Sep 2025

Outlook for Agriculture and ASEAN’s Role in Southeast Asia’s Food Security

Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Paul Teng

Southeast Asia’s agriculture sector’s growth rates are not keeping pace with population and national economic growth due to chronic underinvestment. Southeast Asian nations need to prioritise actions that help ensure its food security, especially amid increasing challenges from climate change.

19 Sep 2025

Can Filipinos Transcend Polarised Politics to Protest Against Grand Corruption?

Alvin Ang|Aries A. Arugay

The Philippines has remained divided in reaction to a massive corruption scandal. Filipinos must overcome differences and cohesively apply public pressure.

Philippine Politics Philippines

19 Sep 2025

The New Anutin Government Should Reset Thailand’s Trump Tariff Response

Wannaphong Durongkaveroj

Thailand’s previous administration massively allocated funds for infrastructure. The new government needs to prioritise strategic industries and adopt a coherent long-term plan to address the adverse impacts of Trump’s tariffs.

Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand

18 Sep 2025

Indonesia’s Politics of Colours: Why Movements Turn to Hues as Symbols of Resistance

Iim Halimatusa’diyah

In a country long rich with visual symbolism, the use of colour to express one’s dissatisfaction with the government seems to be gaining popularity.

Civil Society Indonesia Indonesian Politics

18 Sep 2025

Thailand’s Left and Right: Never the Twain Shall Meet

Napon Jatusripitak

Fulcrum editor Dr William Choong speaks to Dr Napon Jatusripitak, Acting Coordinator of the Thailand Studies Programme at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, about the recent political shifts in Thai domestic politics. They examine the rise of Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJP), the BJP’s awkward partnership with the People’s Party (PP), and competition between the country’s political left and right.

Dialogues at Fulcrum Thai Politics Thailand

17 Sep 2025

Will Trump Revolutionise American Foreign Policy?

Ryan Hass

Post Trump 2.0, US foreign policy will not likely continue on its current trajectory. That said, however, it also will not likely revert to the foreign policy before Trump’s ascent to power.

17 Sep 2025

Enhancing ASEAN’s Intra-Regional Trade Need Not Require Bells and Whistles

Kristina Fong Siew Leng

Kristina Fong discusses how steps to strengthen ASEAN's intra-regional trade need not require re-inventing the wheel but rather concerted efforts in practical measures to reduce trade facilitation frictions.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity Asean Trade ASEANFocus Trade

17 Sep 2025

Should Southeast Asian Regulators be Awed by the GENIUS Act?

Gloria Lin

A new US law mandating a one-to-one exchange rate for stablecoins should give Southeast Asian governments some cause for circumspection as to how they regulate such new cryptocurrencies.

Economic Regulation Economy

16 Sep 2025

ASEAN-ROK Security Cooperation in a Dual Contingency

Ju Hyung Kim

There is a possibility of a dual contingency in the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula. ASEAN and the Republic of Korea need to consider modes of cooperation in such difficult times.

ASEAN South Korea Taiwan