Dr Aries A. Arugay is a Visiting Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Philippine Studies Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He is also Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Politics & Policy, an academic journal published by the Policy Studies Organisation and Wiley-Blackwell.

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Aries A. Arugay

Articles by Aries A. Arugay (7)

The Philippines-Japan Security Relationship: A New Golden Age?
Aries A. Arugay|Mico A Galang
While Japanese PM Kishida’s recent visit to Manila points to the upward momentum of the Japan-Philippines Strategic Partnership, it will also be a litmus test of Japan’s strategic goals in the rest of Southeast Asia.

Changing Political Landscapes and Leadership Transitions in Southeast Asia
Alexander R. Arifianto|Aries A. Arugay|Chheang Vannarith|Le Hong Hiep|Francis E. Hutchinson|Napon Jatusripitak|Eugene Tan
Electoral politics have been heating up in Southeast Asia after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines and Malaysia elected new leaders in 2022. Vietnam underwent a major leadership change after President Nguyen Xuan Phuc tendered his resignation. Voters in Thailand and Cambodia, headed to the ballot box to elect their representatives, while Singapore voted for a new president this year. 2024 will be a fascinating year for Indonesia as the largest democracy in the region will hold its presidential election. ASEANFocus invites experts to assess the changing political landscape and leadership transitions in Southeast Asia, and its implications for society and regional stability.

From Likes to Lies: Disinformation in the Philippines and Thailand
Aries A. Arugay|Surachanee Sriyai
Recent elections in Thailand and the Philippines have seen the use of disinformation. Currently, policy options to tackle such a phenomenon remain limited.

A Strategic Reset?: The Philippines-United States Alliance under President Marcos Jr
Aries A. Arugay|Ian Storey
The Philippines-United States alliance has been reinvigorated since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected president in May 2022. Since Marcos took office, the two countries have increased the tempo of high-level interactions and military engagements. However, an increasingly influential pro-China lobby composed of national and local politicians, pundits and media are acting in concert to undermine this revitalisation.

The Curious Case of Cagayan: Localisation of U.S.-China Rivalry in the Philippines
Aries A. Arugay
The locus of superpower rivalry in the Indo-Pacific has gone down to the subnational level. The United States and China are engaged in a power competition for influence within local governments in the Philippines.