COMMENTARIES

19 Mar 2025

The Rules-based Order: In Dire Straits, But Not Dead

Daljit Singh

As the US steps away from the rules-based order it helped create, smaller countries need to step up to the plate to maintain it.

18 Mar 2025

Thailand’s Unreliability as Broker Makes Peace Even More Elusive in Myanmar

Paul Chambers

Thailand’s efforts to mediate the peace in Myanmar are complicated by the kingdom’s extensive interests in the country.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics Thai Politics Thailand

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.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics Technology US

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