COMMENTARIES

5 Oct 2026

Southeast Asia Needs AI Exit Options, Not AI Independence

Zenobia Chan

The region cannot eliminate its dependence on foreign chips, clouds and models. It can, however, ensure that essential AI systems remain affordable, locally effective and replaceable when suppliers or access conditions change.

2 Oct 2026

ASEAN@60 Special Edition

ASEAN-EU at 50: Turning Goodwill into Strategic Tech Cooperation

Matej Šimalčík|Filip Šebok

Matej Šimalčík and Filip Šebok argue that as the international order fragments, deeper ASEAN-EU cooperation in critical technologies can turn political goodwill into strategic capital. This can be done by simultaneously advancing mutual economic development and reducing both sides' external dependencies.

ASEAN ASEANFocus EU-ASEAN Relations

2 Oct 2026

Thailand Election Commission’s Senate Case Treads Legal and Political Minefields

Purawich Watanasukh

The Election Commission’s initiation of proceedings against a group of senators for 2024 election collusion raises concerns about conflicts of interest and selective prosecution.

Law Thai Politics Thailand

1 Oct 2026

Between Ambition and Trust: Tracking Southeast Asia’s Climate Transition

Sharon Seah

The 2026 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook survey reveals a region anxious about current global crises, yet steadfast in supporting the climate transition.

Climate Change Environment Southeast Asia Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey

1 Oct 2026

From Mosques to Motorbikes: Kedah’s Ride Dakwah Anak Muda and Muslim Youth Engagement

Sharifah Afra Alatas

Kedah's recent youth dakwah event suggests the real engine of religious mobilisation is quietly shifting from formal institutions to informal and digital networks.

Islam Malaysia Youth

30 Sep 2026

PAS’s Evolving International Engagement: From Islamism to Development Diplomacy?

Syaza Shukri|Norshahril Saat

Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) foreign policy outlook has evolved rather than fundamentally changed. While the party continues to prioritise global Islamic solidarity, governing experience has expanded its international engagement from ideological networks to state-led economic diplomacy.

Foreign Policy Malaysia Malaysian Politics Political Islam

30 Sep 2026

Can PAS “Sell” Its Technocratic Record?

Azmil Tayeb

Parti Islam SeMalaysia is trying to show voters that it has a record of solid governance. Its record, however, has been patchy.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Political Islam

30 Sep 2026

Southeast Asia’s Mixed AI Stacks: Pragmatic but Not Risk-Free

Zenobia Chan

Regional initiatives such as Singapore’s SEA-LION and Indonesia’s Sahabat-AI show that Southeast Asia can combine technologies from American, Chinese, and regional sources. But mixed AI stacks do not automatically reduce dependence.

Artificial Intelligence Large Language Model Southeast Asia