Despite being a small state with limited military, maritime, and economic capabilities, the Philippines has defied conventional wisdom by demonstrating its ability to stand its ground even when confronted by a great power like China. To resist Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, the Philippines has been exercising three sources of unconventional power: derivative,… Continue reading How the Philippines exercises unconventional power against China
The Malaysian leader’s apparent embrace of Russia reflects a growing cynicism about the current U.S.-backed global order. Anwar Ibrahim can’t seem to stay away from Russia. The Malaysian prime minister, once the darling of Western claqueurs, visited Vladivostok last month for the Eastern Economic Forum, where he praised Vladimir Putin for his “vision and leadership”… Continue reading Anwar Ibrahim in Russia: opportunism or hatred of the West?
To restore the potential of green diplomacy, the EU’s Green Deal should be “internationalist in its ultimate objectives but sovereignist in its practical modalities”. Key Takeaways: The European Green Deal (EGD) will have a considerable impact on Southeast Asia, likely raising further concerns about national sovereignty and economic stability. Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia,… Continue reading Reassessing the European Green Deal in Southeast Asia: Europe should embrace local contexts
To fully comprehend Myanmar’s internal crisis, it is imperative to grasp the way seven decades of Myanmar politics have shaped the military’s motivation behind staging the coup. Key Takeaways: The Myanmar military’s authoritarian and conservative nature is shaped by decades of encounters with insurgencies, corruption, popular movements, and foreign cultural encroachments. These encounters led to… Continue reading Myanmar through the Junta’s eyes
ASEAN member states have space aspirations, but their progress is complicated by a lack of regional cooperation and being caught in an emerging “astropolitics” between the US and China. However, this dilemma offers a unique opportunity to enhance EU-ASEAN cooperation. Key takeaways: The new space age is attracting diverse actors, yet the high space exploration… Continue reading An “astral alliance”: EU-ASEAN space cooperation
