Power

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

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 07, 2019 • 8 min read

Thailand drug war Justice denied

By Torgeir Norling • Jun 07, 2019
From our print archive: the human cost of Thaksin Shinawatra's brutal war on drugs

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 03, 2019 • 18 min read

Casinos Show me the money

By Robin Spiess • Jun 03, 2019
As dozens of casinos set up shop in Cambodia each year, they stand to make millions annually – but the Kingdom has yet to rake in its fair share of the industry’s rising profits

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Apr 04, 2019 • 7 min read

Religion How sharia came to Brunei

By Thomas Brent • Apr 04, 2019
Brunei has become the first country in Southeast Asia to fully implement sharia criminal law on a national level, imposing brutal punishments for adultery and same-sex relations

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Apr 03, 2019 • 4 min read

Malaysia The region’s corrupt politicians should watch the 1MDB trial closely

By Paul Millar • Apr 03, 2019
Ten years to the day after being sworn in as prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak is standing trial for a slew of corruption and money laundering crimes. Asia Institute Tasmania director James Chin explains what the corruption trial means for the region’s once-untouchable political elite

Power • Feb 21, 2019 • 10 min read
Rohingya and India

No refuge either

Last month, India deported a family of Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar to face statelessness and possible genocide in their homeland – the latest blow in a fierce anti-Muslim movement under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing government
By Lesly Lotha

Power • Feb 19, 2019 • 9 min read
China And the West

Too little, too late

China’s Belt and Road Initiative is reshaping the global monetary order – and the West is floundering in the face of it
By Minh Pham, Yves Carmona

Power • Feb 14, 2019 • 4 min read
Politics

Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrogance

Protests in Kayah state over the construction of a statue of the late general Aung San – father of today’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi – represent growing divisions in Myanmar, which could have consequences for Suu Kyi’s party in the 2020 elections
By Thomas Brent

Power • Feb 12, 2019 • 15 min read
US / China Rivalry

In a new world order, which stars will guide the way?

As the 21st century gathers momentum, one theme is becoming increasingly apparent; the power struggle between China and the US. But in the battle for world domination, who will prevail? Two books, one from Singapore and the other from the US, attempt to answer this ever-more-urgent question
By Dirk Kurbjuweit

Power • Feb 07, 2019 • 7 min read
Philippines

Who’s who in the fight for Muslim autonomy

The Philippines’ south has long been mired in conflict, but with so many different factions and splinter groups, it’s hard to know your BIFFs from your MILFs. Here’s our who’s who of the most important players in the conflict
By Thomas Brent

Power • Feb 01, 2019 • 4 min read
Brexit fallout

Heavy impact far away

A report outlines the effects that the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union could have on Cambodia and other countries in Southeast Asia
By Robin Spiess, Thomas Brent

Power • Jan 25, 2019 • 10 min read
Singapore

The desperation of migrant workers

Southeast Asia Globe speaks with foreign workers and the aid organisations that help them get back on their feet after on-the-job injuries force them to battle with employers. A new law that takes effect in April could change the game
By Silvia Boccardi

Power • Jan 18, 2019 • 7 min read
EU Tariffs

Cambodia and Myanmar’s rice farmers under pressure

Cambodia and Myanmar will be forced to pay hefty tariffs to export rice to the European Union – and farmers fear that it will leave both nations’ rice industries in critical condition
By Robin Spiess