The world woke up on 10 May to a ‘Malaysian tsunami’, ‘new dawn’ or ‘surreal shock’—the almost completely unexpected outcome of Malaysia’s 14th general elections (GE14). The opposition—led by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Dr M), …
Articles by: "Huong Le Thu"
As Malaysians go to the polls tomorrow, 9 May, observers are holding their breath. Many unexpected turns have already taken place, few of which provide optimism or confidence in the political scene. The return from retirement …
Singapore, this year’s ASEAN chair, faces some tough tasks. It must lift confidence in the organisation and inject the inspiration it needs to overcome a ‘midlife crisis’ while encouraging favourable conditions for continued economic growth. …
While the 13th National People’s Congress in China earlier this month grabbed international attention—particularly the constitutional amendment eliminating presidential term limits—other important developments in cross-Straits relations also took place. Premier Li Keqiang vowed that there’s …
When then Prime Minister Paul Keating visited Vietnam in 1994—a year before Vietnam normalised relations with the US and joined ASEAN—he came home convinced that this Southeast Asian nation would gain strategic weight. Today …
Throughout the last half-century, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has occupied a variety of roles in Australian strategic thinking. Australia has been supportive, fearful, fascinated, distant and neglectful. It has even contemplated joining. …
US defence secretary James Mattis recently made his first trip to Southeast Asia. Significantly, the visit took in Indonesia and Vietnam, both listed in Washington’s newly released national security strategy and national defence strategy as …