COMMENTARIES

2 Dec 2024

Thailand’s Army White Paper: Heat is on to Supply the RTA

Paul Chambers

The Thai Army’s inaugural White Paper is spurring competition among suppliers for a slice of the kingdom’s defence procurement pie.

29 Nov 2024

Petronas-Petros Dispute: Finding a Way Out

Amalina Anuar

A legal confrontation between Petronas and Sarawak’s oil and gas company would not be productive. The dispute should be resolved using new political and economic arrangements.

Energy Malaysia Malaysian Politics Oil and Gas Exploration

29 Nov 2024

Indonesian Muslims and the Apocalypse: End of the Road for Effective Green Transition?

Iim Halimatusa’diyah|Aptiani Nur Jannah|Grace Rachmanda

Green transition in Indonesia is hampered by Indonesian Muslims’ belief that climate change is a sign of the end times.

Climate Change Indonesia Renewable Energy

28 Nov 2024

Re-ordering the World: China’s Global South Focus versus the Ally-centric Approach of the US

Hoang Thi Ha|Pham Thi Phuong Thao

Institutional balancing has become a key strategy in US-China strategic competition, with both powers taking different approaches in leveraging their institutional networks to advance their strategic agenda. Southeast Asian countries have straddled both institutional realms advocated respectively by China and the US, while continuing to leverage ASEAN-led mechanisms to advance their interests.

China Security US

27 Nov 2024

It’s Complicated? Cambodia-Vietnam Relations Examined

Nguyen Khac Giang|Sophal Ear

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the complex issue of Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia's recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area and what it means for the region.

Cambodia Dialogues at Fulcrum Vietnam

26 Nov 2024

Vietnam, China and Rerouting: When Perceptions Matter as Much as Reality

Nguyen Khac Giang

Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the US strongly suggests that China uses Vietnam as a backdoor to dodge US tariffs. Such rerouting is actually lower than is imagined. Given that perceptions drive politics, Vietnam will likely still be caught in the Trump administration’s sights.

China-U.S. Relations China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

25 Nov 2024

Public Participation and Digital Propaganda in Indonesia: A New Form of State Control?

Aqida Salma

Indonesia’s democracy faces the threat of digital authoritarianism. However, there are ways to mitigate the risks, even as state-driven propaganda floods digital public spaces.

Digital Culture Indonesia Indonesian Politics Propaganda