ARTICLES

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.

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

Leaders pose for a family photo within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 20, 2023. United Arab Emirates Presidential Court / Handout / Anadolu (Photo by United Arab Emirates Presidentia / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)

23 Oct 2023

ASEAN-GCC Summit: The Need to Keep it Going

Joanne Lin

The recent ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council summit underscores a joint goal to link the two dynamic regions. The key is to keep the bloc-to-bloc interactions going.

ASEAN Middle East

Indonesian Muslim activists hold banners during a demonstration against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in front of the Horse Statue in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Eko Siswono Toyudho / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)

19 Oct 2023

The Implications of the Israel-Gaza Conflict on Indonesia

Julia Lau

Indonesia is likely to support the Palestinian people and redouble its commitment and calls for a two-state solution in light of the ongoing Israeli-Gaza violence. Domestically, the spiralling crisis has some potential to affect the 2024 presidential candidates and security climate, especially if no urgent solution is in sight.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Middle East

28 Mar 2023

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.

International Relations Malaysia Middle East Saudi Arabia

22 Mar 2023

China’s Brokering of Iran-Saudi Rapprochement Signals Global Security Initiative Is Working

Ma Bo

Beijing’s mediation of the historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a sign that its much-vaunted Global Security Initiative is working. The bigger challenge is bringing the GSI into action with respect to the war in Ukraine.

China International Relations Middle East Security

11 May 2021

Muhyiddin’s Special Envoy to the Middle East: Largely Ceremonial

Fauzan A. Roslee

Hadi Awang, the Malaysian prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East, has done little to advance Kuala Lumpur’s interests in that region. His role is more political than functional.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Middle East

12 Mar 2021

Balanced Views Require Deeper Understanding of Middle Eastern Geopolitics

Norshahril Saat

The recent detention of a 20-year Singaporean here under the Internal Security Act underscores the need for Muslims to differentiate the religious and geopolitical aspects of the long-running Arab-Israeli conflict.

Islam Middle East radicalism Religion Religious Intolerance Singapore

Informal learning classes conducted at the mosque between a Shaikh and students.

5 Jan 2021

Returning to Al-Azhar During the Pandemic: A Risk Worth Taking?

Norshahril Saat

Despite current challenges, Al-Azhar University - a popular destination for Singaporean students - remains as relevant as ever in churning out quality graduates in the Islamic sciences.

Education Islam Middle East Singapore