COMMENTARIES

18 Mar 2025

Musk, Myanmar, and the Murky Future of Internet Freedom

Surachanee Sriyai

Myanmar resistance groups depend on Starlink to circumvent government controls. But this can also be its Achilles heel.

17 Mar 2025

Southeast Asia Should Take the Lead in Tackling the AI Climate Conundrum

Vinod Thomas

Artificial intelligence can help resolve climate change problems, but only if the massive energy consumed by data centres comes from green sources.

Artificial Intelligence Climate Change Energy

17 Mar 2025

Malaysia’s Evolving Monarchy: Adaptation and Expansion Amid Uncertainty

Kai Ostwald

The monarchy in Malaysia has in recent years expanded its influence and agency. At the same time, expectations of the institution have also evolved.

Malaysia Malaysian Monarchy Malaysian Politics

14 Mar 2025

Indonesia’s Probable Foreign Policy Shift from the West under a Prabowo Administration

Melinda Martinus

Under Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia is expected to further distance itself from traditional Western alliances — a trend initiated during Jokowi’s administration — by prioritising partnerships within Asia, particularly with China for trade and investment, and strengthening regional cooperation through ASEAN and BRICS.

China Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy US

14 Mar 2025

Southeast Asia Countries Won’t Let War in Ukraine Affect Ties with Russia

Ian Storey

President Donald Trump wants to force an end to the Russia-Ukraine war and improve relations with Russia. Many Southeast Asian countries will welcome an end to hostilities, an easing of US-Russia tensions and stronger relations with Moscow.

ASEAN-Russia Relations Indonesia-Russia Relations Russia

14 Mar 2025

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone: Transformative or Tempting?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone has a compelling argument. But it may not be as transformative as it is touted to be.

Malaysia Malaysia-Singapore Relations Malaysian Economy

13 Mar 2025

Mending Fences: Vietnam and Cambodia’s Diplomatic Reset

Nguyen Khac Giang

The Ho Chi Minh City Summit signals a pragmatic reset in Vietnam-Cambodia relations, driven by economic interests rather than ideology. Successful cooperation would bring the added advantage of enhancing their collective bargaining power with external actors and strategic flexibility as the great power competition intensifies.

Cambodia Diplomacy Hun Manet Laos To Lam Vietnam

13 Mar 2025

Selling Dreams Versus Same as Before: A Tale of Two Provinces

Duncan McCargo

In contesting the recent provincial administrative office elections, the People’s Party did not learn from the lessons of the past.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

12 Mar 2025

Rodrigo Duterte’s Trial Before the International Criminal Court: Unprecedented

Aries A. Arugay|Michael T. Tiu Jr.

The International Criminal Court’s warrant of arrest against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is a significant step to hold him accountable for alleged crimes committed during his anti-drug drive.

Human Rights Law Philippine Philippine Politics

12 Mar 2025

Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Policy: Implications for Southeast Asia

Jayant Menon

The implications of the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff policy on Southeast Asia are still unclear, as certain questions need to be answered.

Southeast Asia Tariffs Trade US