Power

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

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 11, 2020 • 9 min read

Crime and punishment The prison without walls

By Ángel L. Martínez Cantera • Feb 11, 2020
At the Philippines’ largest penal farm, convicted criminals are given a second shot at life in a prison that allows them a surprising amount of freedom

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 10, 2020 • 13 min read

Everything But Arms The day of judgment

By Gerald Flynn • Feb 10, 2020
On February 12, the EU will hand down its long-awaited verdict regarding Cambodia’s access to the preferential trade scheme Everything But Arms, a decision that looks set to shape the Kingdom for years to come. But what happens next?

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 04, 2020 • 13 min read

Cambodian politics Hun Sen’s art of giving

By David Hutt • Feb 04, 2020
January saw Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen mark 35 years in power. Columnist David Hutt examines one crucial tactic of governance that has sustained his more-than three decade rule – the art of giving

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 30, 2020 • 11 min read

Brexit and Southeast Asia The divorce deal

By Dr Carlo Bonura • Jan 30, 2020
With Britain finally set to leave the EU on January 31st, Dr Carlo Bonura of London's School of Oriental and African Studies explains the potential implications of the world's most drawn-out break-up for Southeast Asia

Power • Jan 23, 2020 • 12 min read
Chinese investment

Restoring Sihanoukville

Foreign investors rode a hot streak in Sihanoukville until the gambling game collapsed last summer. Now, with the boomtown at risk of going bust and the city decaying around them, long-term residents, local businesses and construction workers are picking up the pieces
By Andrew Haffner • Jan 23, 2020

Power • Jan 23, 2020 • 4 min read
Corruption ranking

Cambodia once again ranked Southeast Asia’s most corrupt country

Transparency International’s 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index, released on 23 January 2020, has placed Cambodia at 162nd on a worldwide list, a slight decline from last year’s ranking of 161st
By Samantha McCabe • Jan 23, 2020

Power • Jan 22, 2020 • 10 min read
Cambodia 2040

Back to the future

In the eighth and final instalment of Southeast Asia Globe's collaboration with Future Forum on the Cambodia 2040 project, we sit down with the think-tank's founder Ou Virak to hear his reflections on the series. In the decades to come, does he believe that the Kingdom will successfully address the pressing issues raised?
By Alastair McCready • Jan 22, 2020

Power • Jan 14, 2020 • 12 min read
Kem Sokha trial

Trick or treason?

After more than two years facing charges of treason, Cambodia's embattled former opposition leader Kem Sokha is set to finally receive his day in court on Wednesday. Southeast Asia Globe spoke with his daughter Monovithya, as well as those who have worked closely with him over the years, to learn about the man behind the politics
By Andrew Haffner and Alastair McCready • Jan 14, 2020

Power • Jan 10, 2020 • 13 min read
Cambodia's rich and powerful

So you’ve been sanctioned, now what?

Oknha Try Pheap and General Kun Kim were the latest high-profile Cambodians to face the wrath of US sanctions in December. But what does this really mean in practice for the two men, and are targeted sanctions more ethical and effective than punitive trade measures like withdrawing the EU's EBA?
By Gerald Flynn • Jan 10, 2020

Power • Jan 08, 2020 • 10 min read
Cambodia in 2040

Under the gavel

In the sixth installment of our eight-week collaboration with Future Forum looking at life in the Kingdom in 2040, we delve into law and governance. With poor public service provision, entrenched patronage networks and rampant corruption, does Cambodia have the capacity to reform in order to truly prosper?
By Andrew Haffner • Jan 08, 2020

Power • Jan 07, 2020 • 11 min read
The year ahead

Watch this space

As a new decade dawns, Southeast Asia is a region on the brink of dramatic growth and change. Looking at our four pillars – Power, Money, Life and Earth – Southeast Asia Globe outlines some of the biggest stories, trends and events to watch out for in the region in the coming year
By Alastair McCready • Jan 07, 2020

Power • Jan 03, 2020 • 13 min read
Sexism in the Philippines

In the line of fire

President Rodrigo Duterte is known for his vitriolic attacks on women and the press, with prominent media outlet Rappler and its female-led editorial team a particular target of his ire. Southeast Asia Globe visited the Rappler office in Manila to hear first hand from three female team members what life is like working in Duterte's Philippines
By Aie Balagtas See • Jan 03, 2020