COMMENTARIES

28 Oct 2024

President Prabowo’s Politics of Accommodation Might Mean a Short Honeymoon

Kennedy Muslim|Burhanuddin Muhtadi

Indonesia’s new president might have squandered an opportunity to start with a lean, efficient Cabinet instead of appeasing supporters and partners to form the largest Cabinet since Sukarno.

25 Oct 2024

Fraternity-Related Violence in the Philippines: Long Road to Justice

Josiah Patrick P. Bagayas

Networks of patronage continue to propagate abuses by fraternities in the Philippines. These networks should be dismantled.

Law Philippine Philippine Politics

25 Oct 2024

Charting Its Discourse: Cambodia’s Naval Vessel Acquisitions from China

Vithoureakborndidh Chou

Rather than look a gift horse in the mouth, observers should consider Cambodian agency instead of assuming Cambodia is a pliant recipient of Chinese military aid.

Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations China

24 Oct 2024

Securing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: Navigating Conflicts and Public Scepticism

Kyi Sin

The persistent conflict in Myanmar does not seem to have deterred China’s determination to realise its CMEC priorities. Despite significant military setbacks for the Myanmar military, China continues to urge the SAC to accelerate the implementation of key China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) projects.

China China-Myanmar Relations Myanmar Myanmar Military

24 Oct 2024

Time for Better Collective Climate Action in ASEAN Agrifood Production

Paul Teng

Agriculture suffers from the impacts of climate change and is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. ASEAN, working as a region, must do more to address food security and climate change mitigation.

Agriculture ASEAN Climate Change Southeast Asia

23 Oct 2024

Thailand’s Deep South Policy: The Need for Justice

Paul Chambers

The failure to convict individuals for a massacre in Thailand’s Deep South 20 years ago will undermine reforms.

Human Rights Thai Politics Thailand

23 Oct 2024

The Declining Freedoms of Speech and Press in Indonesia: New President, Same Problem?

Sofie Syarief

A free press in a democracy embodies the concept of freedom of speech and checks those in power while ensuring that citizens are well-informed. Both freedoms were at threat under Indonesia’s former president. Things do not look brighter now.

Censorship Indonesia Indonesian Politics Media

22 Oct 2024

Amid Intensifying Sino-US Rivalry, Southeast Asia Can Help Bolster Regional Security

Lee Sue-Ann|William Choong

Southeast Asia can expect regional tensions to rise amid growing Sino-US competition. To preserve regional stability, Southeast Asian countries should work more closely with middle powers.

China China-U.S. Relations Southeast Asia US