Video Conference: An Economic and Security Architecture for Asia The Role of the U.S. and Indonesia
The Ulama Strike Back: Whither PAS and Pakatan?
Synopsis
The latest PAS elections have seen the decisive reassertion of the central leadership of the ulama class. How will this impact on the future of political Islam and opposition politics in Malaysia?Iran’s Writing On The Wall: Ethnic Minorities And Others Assert Themselves
Synopsis
In anticipation of a lifting of economic sanctions once a nuclear agreement has been concluded with permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany, and coupled with President Hassan Rouhani’s effort to reduce government interference in people’s lives and loosen Internet restrictions, various segments of Iranian society are displaying a greater assertiveness to demand more rights and decry official abuse.
From Scarcity to Plenty: The Geopolitics of a World Awash in Oil
Synopsis
More sources of supply mean energy prices are likely to stabilise at lower prices than in the last decade. The decline in US dependence on Middle Eastern oil is likely to make the US see instability in the MENA region increasingly as a European problem.
Rohingya Refugee Crisis: Testing Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship
Synopsis
The Rohingya refugee crisis is a test of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN. Kuala Lumpur’s response is an attempt to balance its foreign policy commitment to ASEAN and allay domestic concerns over the Rohingya humanitarian problem.
Smart Nation & Its Implications: The State in a Hyper-connected Singapore
Synopsis
As Singapore transforms itself into a Smart Nation, challenges will emerge. Instead of being decentred, the State will in fact become more important in terms of strengthening the nation against the challenges that follow.
Turkey’s Game-Changing Election
The outcome of Turkey’s parliamentary election on June 7, 2015, will mark a pivotal moment for the country’s future. Postelection scenarios include, at one extreme, a move by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to centralize power in the presidency and, at the other, the possibility of a coalition government after twelve years of single-party rule.
Middle East and North Africa: Forcing China to Revisit Long-standing Policies
Synopsis
The fractious Middle East and North Africa is compelling China to rethink its long-standing principle of non-interventionism to protect its economic interests. It is also prompting it to articulate a Middle East policy that serves China’s interests without putting it at loggerheads with the United States.
Checking Human Smuggling: The Bangladesh-Myanmar Borderland
Synopsis
Human smuggling from the Bangladesh-Myanmar borderland cannot be effectively tackled by short-term quick-fixes. For a sustainable solution, both Bangladesh and Myanmar have to take effective action against human trafficking through building their institutional capacity and addressing the socio-economic causes behind human smuggling.
Rohingya Refugees: Turks to the Rescue
Synopsis
Turkey’s decision to send a ship to rescue Rohingya at sea is another instance of Turkish soft power at work. Turkey has been playing an increasingly visible role in relief operations in other parts of the world, projecting itself as a benevolent Muslim power and earning the trust of non-Turkish Muslim communities.