Power

Political reporting and analysis on the big questions facing the region.

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 22, 2020 • 6 min read
In Partnership with 1

Shutting the door on North Korea’s cyber army in Southeast Asia

By Brian Moore • Jul 22, 2020
With North Korea's cyber army of hackers a vital source of income for the country's repressive regime, US policy adviser Brian Moore argues that Southeast Asia's adoption of nuclear power over the next two decades will leave states vulnerable to attack

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 20, 2020 • 9 min read

Myanmar democracy A look ahead to Myanmar GE 2020: Ethnic parties and storms of discontent

By Mary Banfield and Morris Averill • Jul 20, 2020
With the Myanmar General Election slated for November, five years of stalled peace negotiations, broken promises and stunted economic prosperity for ethnic minority groups may prove the undoing of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party

Power • Jul 16, 2020 • 2 min read
Thai politics

Thailand’s top economic team resigns amid Covid-19 recovery struggle

Several senior Thai government officials resigned on July 16 in an attempt to 'relieve political pressure'. The resignations from the five paves the way for a political reshuffle amid the country's ongoing economic recovery efforts
By EFE-EPA • Jul 16, 2020

Power • Jul 15, 2020 • 7 min read

How to advance US-Myanmar relations? Go after the low-hanging fruit

With US-Myanmar relations at a low ebb on several fronts, not least the Rohingya issue, observers on both sides of the negotiating table have identified pieces of low-hanging diplomatic fruit that could get the two nations back on track
By Bilal Hyder • Jul 15, 2020

Power • Jul 10, 2020 • 6 min read
Thai dissidents

Bill aims to finally end trend of enforced disappearances in Thailand

The issue of government-affiliated enforced disappearances has taken centre-stage in Thailand once again following the alleged abduction of Wanchalearm Satsaksit last month. Now, a bill is being tabled to finally put an end to this deadly practice
By Wanpen Pajai • Jul 10, 2020

Power • Jul 09, 2020 • 10 min read
General Election 2020

Singapore’s political climate shifts as pandemic sends election online

From pandemic conditions, to alternative media sources, e-rallies and 'trials by internet', Singapore's 2020 General Election campaign period has been unprecedented in many respects, as well as one of the most contentious in recent history
By Lee Ying Shan • Jul 09, 2020

Power • Jul 08, 2020 • 5 min read

Survive and prosper: Huawei’s quest for self-reliance

Publicly Huawei has expressed that their priority remains survival following severe restrictions placed on the Chinese giant by the US leadership. But a pivot towards recruiting Taiwanese talent reveals their greater ambition – prospering through self-reliance
By Mark Manantan • Jul 08, 2020

Power • Jul 06, 2020 • 3 min read
Human rights

Duterte’s anti-terrorism law challenged in Philippines’ top court

Critics of a new anti-terrorism law in the Philippines called on the country's highest court on July 6 to suspend the legislation, arguing it threatens human rights and freedom of speech
By Agence France-Presse • Jul 06, 2020