Indonesia’s Future Elections: Will Social Media Forecasts Determine Outcome?
Synopsis
Social media forecasts achieved highly accurate results in the 2014 Indonesian presidential elections. Will predictive analytics play a greater role in future electoral outcomes in Indonesia?
Snaring the ‘Big Tiger’ in Anti-Graft Campaign: Xi Asserts His Authority
Synopsis
China’s anti-corruption campaign has intensified with the investigation of ex-Politburo Standing Committee member and former head of public security, Zhou Yongkang. With this latest move against one of his fiercest rivals, Xi Jinping has given the clearest indication yet of his dominance of the top echelon of Chinese politics and may well have set the stage for future institutional reforms.
China’s Proposals for Trans-Himalayan Connectivity: Consider Four Economic Corridors
Synopsis
Following its “New Silk Roads” policies to improve connectivity with neighboring countries in Asia, China proposed earlier this year to establish a “Trans-Himalaya Economic Region” to be led by India and itself. Details of the proposal are not clear but they should focus on building four trans-Himalayan economic corridors to connect South Asia with Central and East Asia.
Xi-Modi Talks: A New Type of Sino-Indian Relationship?
Synopsis
The Xi-Modi meeting at the recent BRICS summit reflects the nascent upturn in Sino-Indian relations since Narendra Modi’s ascension to power in India. Will the relationship’s trajectory be limited to ‘Chindianomics’?
Sino-Indian border dispute: Better left dormant
Synopsis
The border dispute between China and India has come to the fore once again even as bilateral trade between them has increased exponentially. The border dispute highlights the growing strategic competition and lack of trust between them. But it is better left dormant while both governments focus on more immediate issues.
Indonesia’s Bilateral Investment Treaties: Modernising for the 21st Century
Synopsis
Indonesia will be revising all its bilateral investment treaties for a fairer deal, but it is plainly inaccurate to say these will be terminated all at once, as wrongly portrayed by some. It is time for others to accept a 21st century Indonesia.
China’s Global Resources Drive: A market-oriented strategy for food
Synopsis
While China’s overseas agricultural expansion will be led by state-owned companies with strong support from the government, China is more likely to adopt a market oriented strategy to safeguard the country’s food security.
Christian-Muslim Relations: Critical for Religious Harmony
Synopsis
The “Allah” issue, which had a final hearing in the highest court in Malaysia, provided further evidence that Christian-Muslim tensions globally are on the rise. The Christian and Islamic worlds can contribute to global inter-religious harmony given their common Abrahamic roots.
How Freeport Reached a Mining Deal in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia — As negotiations to resolve an increasingly bitter dispute over Indonesian mining rules teetered on the brink of collapse, the chairman of Freeport-McMoRan, James Moffett, flew to Jakarta for last-ditch talks.
i Jinping’s visit to South Korea Finlandisation or Crimeanisation?
Synopsis
The Chinese President’s recent state visit to Seoul may presage either ‘Finlandisation’ in which South Korea shrewdly retains some degree of self-reliance by balancing between the great powers; or ‘Crimeanisation’ with Seoul’s interests increasingly subsumed within China’s larger geopolitical influence.