Politics

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 14, 2019 • 4 min read

Politics Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrogance

By Thomas Brent • Feb 14, 2019
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

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 12, 2019 • 15 min read

US / China Rivalry In a new world order, which stars will guide the way?

By Dirk Kurbjuweit • Feb 12, 2019
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

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 01, 2019 • 4 min read

Brexit fallout Heavy impact far away

By Robin Spiess, Thomas Brent • Feb 01, 2019
A report outlines the effects that the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union could have on Cambodia and other countries in Southeast Asia

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 18, 2019 • 7 min read

EU Tariffs Cambodia and Myanmar’s rice farmers under pressure

By Robin Spiess • Jan 18, 2019
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

Politics • Dec 25, 2018 • 15 min read
Whatever happened to

Vietnam’s forgotten veterans

On Christmas Day 40 years ago, 150,000 Vietnamese troops crossed the border into Cambodia to drive the murderous Khmer Rouge regime from power. Decades later, those men remain haunted by their memories
By Paul Millar

Politics • Nov 05, 2018 • 3 min read
Sar Kheng

Is Hun Sen’s long-time rival really a ‘democratic alternative’?

Cambodia's Interior Minister Sar Kheng has long been hailed by Western diplomats as a more liberal alternative to Prime Minister Hun Sen's decades-long strongman rule. But with the factional heavyweight growing increasingly strident in his criticism of corruption and incompetence within the ruling party, just what has the former Khmer Rouge cadre done to deserve this reputation?
By Paul Millar

Politics • Nov 01, 2018 • 3 min read
Mahathir-Anwar power transition

‘People first – that’s what democracy should be’

It was no secret that when the then-92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister after an historic election win earlier this year, he planned to give up the position to rival-turned-ally Anwar Ibrahim. But how exactly will that play out?
By Amanda Kaufmann

Politics • Sep 24, 2018 • 6 min read
Climate Change

How committed are developed nations?

Developing countries claim that Australia, Japan and the US have failed to contribute their fair share to the Green Climate Fund of the 2015 Paris Agreement
By Lesly Lotha

Politics • Sep 18, 2018 • 3 min read
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

What the former president’s comeback means for the Philippines

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has survived corruption accusations, a four-year detention and a serious illness to become house speaker of the parliament. But can she bring her power to bear to fulfil President Rodrigo Duterte’s dream of a new Philippines?
By Paul Millar

Politics • Sep 17, 2018 • 10 min read
Antonio Trillanes

Why Duterte’s crusade against senator is not simply a David vs Goliath story

Following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to revoke the amnesty and seek the arrest of government critic Senator Antonio Trillanes, Southeast Asia Globe speaks to political analyst Aries Arugay on the politics behind the story
By Thomas Brent

Politics • Sep 04, 2018 • 5 min read
Malaysia

Waiting for Anwar

Malaysia’s promise of reform is in full bloom after the ruling coalition’s shock defeat, but despite rumblings of democracy, civil rights strides remain – for now, perhaps – elusive
By Nithin Coca