Southeast Asia
ASEAN’s Multilateral Dilemma: Continuity and Change from NAM to BRICS
Authors: Evi Fitriani and Anis H. Bajrektarevic
ASEAN’s enduring strength has never been its ability to project power, but its capacity to manage diversity through...
Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict: Restraint in the Digital Information Battlefield
The joint statement that Cambodia and Thailand signed on 27 December 2025 to renew the ceasefire includes a clause stating that “both sides agree...
How Vietnam’s Five-Year Communist Party Congress Chooses the Country’s Next Leaders
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party will hold its 14th five-yearly congress from January 19 to 25, a pivotal political event that will determine the country’s...
Indonesia’s Middle Power Choice: Defining Its Swing State Role
Indonesia is widely regarded as an emerging Asian middle power in the Indo-Pacific, but its strategic role is still unexpectedly vague. This commentary argues...
Malaysia Plans Term Limits and Anti-Corruption Reforms
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to impose a two-term limit on Malaysia’s prime ministers, capping tenure at a maximum of 10 years. The...
Asia in 2026: Conflict Continues to Dominate
The year 2026 has begun. In Asian–Eastern culture, people traditionally wish for a year of peace and prosperity. However, what unfolded in 2025 may...
The Melaka-Dumai Project: Between The Bridge and The Trap
Is the planned Melaka-Dumai bridge intended to bring the people closer together, or is it intended to bring capital closer together for the benefit...
When Rituals Break: Why Deepfakes Threaten Democracy Differently in the Global South
In many parts of the Global South, elections are never merely administrative events. They arrive as social rituals—dense moments when hope, fear, memory, and...
Why Myanmar’s Military Is Pushing Ahead With Elections Amid War
Myanmar’s ruling junta is proceeding with a general election despite an ongoing civil war, widespread displacement, and the exclusion of major political actors raising...
The Long Odds of a Junta-Managed Election in War-Torn Myanmar
Last week, Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing urged voters to select candidates who would work with the military during the upcoming general election,...