Outlook 2025
The South China Sea in 2025: More of the Same, Possibly Worse
Ian Storey
The prognosis for tensions in the South China Sea dispute this year is pretty straightforward: what has been and is will continue to be so, and perhaps even worse.

Outlook 2025
Ian Storey
The prognosis for tensions in the South China Sea dispute this year is pretty straightforward: what has been and is will continue to be so, and perhaps even worse.
2024 Top 10
Le Hong Hiep|Nguyen Khac Giang
The steadfast leadership of Vietnam’s General Secretary has ironically created a potential leadership vacuum, as succession planning has not been one of his strong suits, unlike anti-corruption and other stellar achievements.
2024 Top 10
Le Hong Hiep
Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong will be replaced. The primary task of the country’s leaders now is to find his replacement and steady the keel.
Nguyen Khac Giang
Today, Vietnam is arguably better positioned, both financially and geopolitically, to move forward with the North-South High Speed Rail project. However, the feasibility of this ambitious megaproject hinges on a careful cost-benefit analysis, which is fraught with uncertainty.
Nguyen Khac Giang|Dien Nguyen An Luong
As George Orwell noted in his seminal 1972 essay, "Unpopular ideas can be silenced, and inconvenient facts kept dark, without the need for any official ban". As our authors argue, Vietnam’s state plan to reform its media could create more problems than it solves.
Pham Vu Thieu Quang
Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal, which aims to connect Phnom Penh to the Gulf of Thailand, has sparked regional concerns, particularly from Vietnam, due to potential environmental impacts and geopolitical implications.
Nguyen Khac Giang|Sophal Ear
Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the complex issue of Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia's recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area and what it means for the region.
Nguyen Khac Giang
Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the US strongly suggests that China uses Vietnam as a backdoor to dodge US tariffs. Such rerouting is actually lower than is imagined. Given that perceptions drive politics, Vietnam will likely still be caught in the Trump administration’s sights.
Le Hong Hiep
Chinese investments in Vietnam have surged. But they bring not only opportunities but also challenges for the latter.
Nguyen Khac Giang
Cambodia’s withdrawal from a trilateral development triangle involving Laos and Vietnam spells trouble for Hanoi’s 'near abroad' regional strategy.