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.
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.
Indonesia’s Presidential Election 2014: Enter the Next Big Fight
Synopsis
An inconclusive presidential election based on quick count results reflects the new uncertainty in Indonesia. The next big fight now building up is for the control of Golkar, the second largest party. Will a restructuring of the political landscape lead to stronger government?
Reinterpretation of Japan’s Constitution: The Limits of Abe’s Ambitions
Japan recently reinterpreted its Constitution to allow for collective defence with its allies. Notwithstanding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s strong political position, the subsequent protests and decline in Mr Abe’s approval rating will likely constrain his efforts to amend the limits placed by the Constitution.
Resolution of Bangladesh-India Maritime Boundary: Model for South China Sea Disputes?
Synopsis
In a rare ‘good news’ story for regional maritime security, an international court has established the maritime boundary between Bangladesh and India. Could this be a model for the South China Sea disputes?Israel and Saudi Arabia: Forging Ties on Quicksand
Synopsis
Distrust of US-led efforts for a negotiated end to the Iranian nuclear crisis, animosity towards the Muslim Brotherhood, a shared determination to defeat Al Qaeda, and questions about the reliability of the US as an ally have persuaded Saudi Arabia and Israel to go public with their tacit alliance despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two erstwhile enemies.
Southeast Asian fighters in the new “caliphate”: Implications for Indonesia’s militant Islamist movement
Synopsis
The growing number of Indonesian fighters involved in Syria’s civil war has security implications for their country when they return. Will the fighters there now have an impact on local dynamics and revitalise the militant Islamist movement?