ARTICLES

11 Mar 2025

COMAC’s C919 in Southeast Asia: Needs More than Price to Take Flight

Tang Meng Kit

China’s COMAC is touting its C919 aircraft as a cost-effective alternative to the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. Success, however, depends on overcoming significant challenges such as certification and establishing reliable maintenance networks.

7 Mar 2025

Challenges of Combating Transnational Drug Trafficking in Southeast Asia

Josiah Patrick P. Bagayas

A long-running saga of a Filipino national convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia underscores the need to address the transnational element of law enforcement against such activities.

Drug Trade Philippine Philippine Politics Southeast Asia

3 Mar 2025

Impact of Trump 2.0 on Southeast Asia’s Energy Geopolitics

Mirza Sadaqat Huda

Trump’s rent-seeking foreign policy pertaining to energy and critical minerals will force Southeast Asian countries to do what they least desire: making a choice between China and the US.

Energy Southeast Asia US

27 Feb 2025

Southeast Asia Can Navigate Growing Fractures in Global Automotive Sector

John Lee

Southeast Asia has become another front in the ensuing technology wars between China and the US.

EV Cars Southeast Asia Technology

25 Feb 2025

Doing More for Victims of Forced Criminality in Southeast Asia

Brandon Tan Jun Wen

To combat a rising transnational scourge, the region’s governments can augment non-governmental efforts to detect, rescue and repatriate victims of increasingly sophisticated overseas ‘job’ scam operations run by cyber syndicates.

Crime Human Trafficking Scam Southeast Asia

18 Feb 2025

Trump’s Territorial Ambitions Send Tremors Beyond the Western Hemisphere

Hoang Thi Ha

US President Donald Trump's rhetoric in past weeks has sparked a chain reaction of alarm in Southeast Asia. If his words become deeds, the region's uneven but evident bedrock of trust in the US, carefully built up since World War Two's end, could slowly turn to dust.

ASEAN-US Relations Donald Trump Southeast Asia US

7 Feb 2025

Chinese EVs in Southeast Asia: More Sustainable Approach Needed

Shi Youwei

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) firms have made inroads into the Southeast Asian market. But they cannot take their current position for granted.

China China-Southeast Asia relations EV Cars Southeast Asia

5 Feb 2025

Navigating Trump 2.0 Tariffs: Keep Calm and Carry On

Kristina Fong Siew Leng

Southeast Asian countries are likely to be caught up in the crossfire between China and the US. But there could be a silver lining.

Donald Trump Southeast Asia Tariffs US

22 Jan 2025

Will Southeast Asian Countries Pass the US’ Heightened Export Controls?

Maria Monica Wihardja|George Tan

Tightened controls on exports of advanced technologies with US-origin components or technologies will affect key semiconductor-related manufacturing sectors. Southeast Asia can respond with short, medium, and long-run strategies.

China International Trade Southeast Asia Tariffs US

21 Jan 2025

Southeast Asia’s Frustration with the State of Climate Finance

Prapimphan Chiengkul

Southeast Asian countries are justifiably frustrated with the state of climate finance. They should consider seeking alternative sources to fund climate mitigation and adaptation.

Climate Change Finance Southeast Asia