How Small States Can Survive Big Changes: Laos, Mekong and ASEAN in the Age of Might Makes Right
INTRODUCTION: “Might makes right” is back in form with major powers’ use of tariffs and military actions, leaving small states like Laos with fewer buffers and narrower margins for error than more capable middle powers.
China and the US: Who Will Better Understand Southeast Asia?
INTRODUCTION: The US appears to be losing to China in the race to understand Southeast Asia. The real test, however, centres on whether a country can sustain the institutions to study the region critically.
Neutrality by Sector: Malaysia’s Geoeconomic Alignment under Anwar
INTRODUCTION: In 2025, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan named an elephant in the room: “the space for neutrality… is shrinking, particularly in areas such as trade, technology and regional.
The Lure and Lore of Southeast Asia: Understanding the Dynamics of Soft Power
INTRODUCTION: The strong but varying attractiveness of Southeast Asian countries for their citizens’ work and play provides food for thought on future regional cohesion, identity and development.
Between Talks and Tensions: Why the South China Sea Won’t Stabilise in 2026
INTRODUCTION: Progress on the South China Sea dispute between the Philippines and China is in limbo, and likely to stay that way.
Supply, Strategy, and Statecraft: India’s China Policy in an Era of Economic Rebalancing
INTRODUCTION: India’s relationship with China is economically consequential, politically sensitive, and strategically constrained.
Indonesia’s non-alignment in an age of rivalry
INTRODUCTION: Indonesia’s Major Defense Cooperation Partnership with the United States has unsettled public trust by raising fears that airspace access could compromise sovereignty.
France-Philippines New Defence Agreement: A Pivotal Step?
INTRODUCTION: The signing of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between France and the Philippines is a milestone in Manila’s efforts to diversify its security.
The Underlying Logic of India-Nordic Engagement
INTRODUCTION: The India-Nordic Summit peaks of New Delhi’s attempt to acquire new strategic options through partnerships. In a fractured world, that’s what we need.
The BRICS Challenge and India's Choices
INTRODUCTION: Iran and the UAE's competing calculations just lay bare the limitations of the grouping.