ARTICLES

16 Aug 2021

Vaccine Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: Russia Squanders its Sputnik Moment

Ian Storey

For a country that was first off the blocks, Russia has a long way to go if it wants to catch up with China and the United States in the game of vaccine diplomacy

27 Jul 2021

The United States’ “Mini” Shangri-La Dialogue: Stand and Deliver

William Choong

When Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, speaks at the 40th Fullerton Lecture in Singapore tonight, he will need to go beyond speaking about esoteric concepts such as the “rules-based international order” and promise that Washington will provide tangible deliverables in the form of pandemic assistance, economic growth and trade.

China-U.S. Relations Quad Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S. Foreign Policy

2 Jul 2021

All Abuzz About an Anti-parasite Drug

Lee Sue-Ann

A divisive debate has broken out in regional social media over the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19. The focus of the debate should remain squarely on its effectiveness as a therapeutic treatment for the coronavirus.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia Malaysia Philippine Southeast Asia

1 Jul 2021

Pandemics and Festivals: Will Covid-19 Transform Our Cultural Events in Future?

Steve K.L. Chan|Kevin S.Y. Tan

In Southeast Asia, mass participation at important cultural festivals amidst a pandemic has contributed to the tragic loss of life. The question is whether and how we can preserve such deeply cherished events without jeopardising precious lives.

COVID-19 Health Religion Southeast Asia

28 Jun 2021

Give It Another Shot, Uncle Sam

Charles Dunst

As it pertains to Washington’s relations with Southeast Asia, the Biden Administration is not faring much better than its predecessor. A low-hanging fruit would be the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations COVID-19 Southeast Asia U.S. Vaccine Diplomacy

24 Jun 2021

Southeast Asia and Food Price Inflation: Double Whammy

Paul Teng

Across the world, climate change and Covid-19 disruptions have led to rising food prices in the past year. Southeast Asian countries, which have not been immune to such challenges, need to build resilience in their food security policies.

ASEAN Climate Change COVID-19 Southeast Asia

22 Jun 2021

Thailand’s Hazy Problem – Challenges in Passing Clean Air Legislation

Wichuta Teeratanabodee

The Thai government’s approach to Thailand’s longstanding haze problem needs more than just short-term measures. But legislative and political obstacles stand in the way of successfully passing the laws required to address the issue.

Environment Southeast Asia Thai Politics Thailand

17 Jun 2021

Giving Chinese Vaccines A Shot

Khairulanwar Zaini

As Southeast Asian countries look for Covid-19 vaccines to protect their populations, two things matter: reliability and availability. For now, China — rather than Western sources — ticks the correct boxes.

China COVID-19 Southeast Asia Vaccine Diplomacy

25 May 2021

Fighting Covid-19: China’s Soft Power Opportunities in Mainland Southeast Asia

Chheang Vannarith

In mainland Southeast Asia, the Chinese government’s effective measures to curb the pandemic outbreak at home and the provision of Covid-19 assistance to regional countries have enhanced China’s soft power. Most of the mainland Southeast Asian countries, except Vietnam, have been receptive to China’s Covid-19 diplomacy.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations China COVID-19 Southeast Asia Vaccine Diplomacy

18 May 2021

Vietnam’s Consumer Finance Goes Global

Nicolas Lainez

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s new 49 per cent stake in FE Credit highlights the need for greater regulatory oversight and consumer protection measures.

Japan Southeast Asia Vietnam Vietnamese Economy