Indira Zahra Aridati

The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey

ASEAN in 2026: Great Expectations, Limited Effectiveness

Melinda Martinus|Indira Zahra Aridati

ASEAN remains central to regional diplomacy, but it continues to be bogged down by structural limitations.

An Intelligent Trade-Off: AI as a Double-Edged Sword in Southeast Asia’s Climate Battle

Indira Zahra Aridati

Indira Zahra Aridati argues that although AI offers positive benefits for Southeast Asia’s climate battle, the region should not look at its usage through rose-tinted glasses. Without careful consideration, such systems may inadvertently undermine and be counterintuitive to the very climate goals that they aim to achieve.

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

State of Southeast Asia Survey 2024: Indonesia Doubling Down on ASEAN and Japan

Indira Zahra Aridati|Julia Lau

Compared to a year ago, Indonesians seem to view ASEAN and Japan more favourably. The Israel-Hamas conflict is a significant factor for declining trust in other powers but economics and soft power can also explain interesting fluctuations in their perceptions.

New President, Same Foreign Policy? Decoding Indonesia’s Foreign Policy Direction Post-Presidential Election 2024

Indira Zahra Aridati|Melinda Martinus

Indira Zahra Aridati and Melinda Martinus assess that while there may not be a significant change in terms of substance, Indonesia’s foreign policy will see subtle changes influenced by the incoming president’s background and beliefs, and competing domestic concerns affecting democratic consolidation.

The Courteous Charmer: A Hard Look at Japan’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia

Indira Zahra Aridati

Indira Zahra Aridati examines the rise of Japanese soft power across Southeast Asia and its many facets.