ARTICLES

23 May 2025

The Inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Economic Aspirations Amid Strategic Ambiguity

Sufian Jusoh|Joanne Lin

Sufian Jusoh and Joanne Lin assess Malaysia’s bold initiative to host the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, exploring its strategic rationale, economic potential, and the implications for ASEAN’s centrality in a shifting global order.

14 Nov 2024

Middle East Conflicts will Impact Security in Asia

Daljit Singh

Washington’s involvement in wars in the Middle East will intensify anti-US sentiment in Southeast Asia, and divert US bandwidth and military resources from the Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations Middle East Southeast Asia US

14 May 2024

The Ambiguous Response of Indonesian Muslims to Iran’s Attack on Israel

Syafiq Hasyim

Iran’s missile and drone attack against Israel in retaliation against the 1 April air strike on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus has drawn mixed reactions among Indonesia’s Muslim leaders. The theological divide, however, will limit Indonesian solidarity with Iran.

Indonesia Islam Middle East

26 Feb 2024

Indonesian Muslims’ Responses to the Palestine-Israel Conflict: Fragmented No More?

Pradana Boy Zulian

The aftermath of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and ensuing violence has had repercussions in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s most populous Muslim-majority nation-state. Has the Palestinian issue galvanised Indonesians as one?

Indonesia Middle East Religion

13 Feb 2024

Indonesia’s Presidential Election and Palestinian Issues

Nostalgiawan Wahyudhi|Ahmad Najib Burhani

Each candidate aspiring towards Indonesia’s presidency has had to voice his support for the Palestinian cause and people, not least because he will soon lead the world’s largest Muslim majority country.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Middle East

6 Feb 2024

Rhetorical Sympathy for the Palestinian Struggle in Malaysia and the Poignant Misuse of ‘Zionism’

Benjamin Y.H. Loh|Sarah Ali

Malaysia’s online and offline support for Palestine in light of the 7 October 2023 attacks seems to indicate a dualism in solidarity— voluble support for the Palestinian cause juxtaposed with opposition to taking in Palestinian refugees and asylum seekers.

Human Rights Malaysia Middle East Rohingya

26 Dec 2023

2023 Top 10

Anwar Ibrahim’s Visit to Saudi Arabia: Is His Foot in the Door?

Mohd Faizal Musa

Anwar Ibrahim’s opponents are trying to politicise his recent trip to Mecca but it is not a foregone conclusion that Anwar, and by extension Malaysia, was snubbed.

2023 Top 10 International Relations Malaysia Middle East Saudi Arabia

4 Dec 2023

Wars in Europe and Middle East Can affect East Asian Power Balance

Daljit Singh

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East portend more geopolitical uncertainty for East Asia

Armed Conflict China Middle East Southeast Asia U.S. Ukraine

8 Nov 2023

Impact of Gaza Crisis on China’s Interests in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific

Lee Han Yin

China would seek to prevent a wider escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It is also monitoring whether U.S. involvement in the conflict will affect Washington’s focus on constraining Beijing in Asia.

China Middle East Philippine Taiwan

27 Oct 2023

Firmly by Palestine’s Side: Behind Malaysia’s Response to the Israel-Gaza Crisis

Julia Lau|Francis E. Hutchinson

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim has not minced his words in upbraiding Israel and its supporters for their response to the worsening crisis in the Gaza territories. His motivations are driven by compelling domestic factors and a long-held political stance on Palestine.

Malaysia Middle East