Foreign Policy Blogs

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s Foreign Policy Balancing Act

Malaysia’s Foreign Policy Balancing Act

One year on since the 2018 electoral victory, Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan government, led by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has kept the main thrust of foreign policy of past governments of the Barisan Nasional. But slight readjustments have been made to reorient Malaysia’s foreign policy to the center, enabling Pakatan to strive for more balance […]

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Narendra Modi re-elected Indian Prime Minister: “An opportunity for Bangladesh’s minorities”

Narendra Modi re-elected Indian Prime Minister: “An opportunity for Bangladesh’s minorities”

In honor of the re-election of Modi, Shipan Kumer Basu, the President of the World Hindu Struggle Committee, declared: “Under your leadership, you will play an important role in protecting the oppressed minorities in Bangladesh, who are presently being slowly and gradually ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homeland.” According to the BBC, Indian Prime Minister […]

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China’s thirst for knowledge

China’s thirst for knowledge

During the recent 19th Party Congress General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed on education as a driving force for the country’s development in the future. It is suggested that education should play a leading role in spearheading China’s domestic transformation, boosting its international recognition and soft power. Meanwhile, the goals are expected to be utilized by […]

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Terrorism risks rising in Malaysia as Islamic State militants return

Terrorism risks rising in Malaysia as Islamic State militants return

With the demise of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and the fall of Marawi in the Philippines, how will Malaysia handle the prospect of returning fighters? Malaysia’s Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed recently expressed concerns over the threat of returning militants from the Middle East and the Philippines. The fall of Marawi, following the deaths of […]

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Is Democracy Dying?

Is Democracy Dying?

A man paints over the logo of the Cambodia National Rescue Party at its headquarters in Phnom Penh. Photo: Getty Images. In the days following the dissolution of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), I headed to Phnom Penh to witness the changes on the ground since my last visit over two years ago.  On […]

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Daniel Kritenbrink Appointed New U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam

Daniel Kritenbrink Appointed New U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam

New United States Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink arriving at Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi on November 4, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre Here in Da Nang, economic leaders from around the Asia-Pacific region are gathering for this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ summit hosted by the Vietnamese.  Established in 1989, APEC […]

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In Contrast to the OBOR Fanfare, Japan Quietly Builds Friendships in Vietnam

In Contrast to the OBOR Fanfare, Japan Quietly Builds Friendships in Vietnam

Japan’s reputation for quality infrastructure is well-known in Asia, where Tokyo is hitting back at Beijing’s efforts at economic hegemony.

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Soft Power Gain for Taiwan

Soft Power Gain for Taiwan

According to Reporters Without Borders’ global rankings last year, Taiwan has now become the freest country on the Asian continent.

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Indonesia Leads the Way on Mapping Fishermen

Indonesia Leads the Way on Mapping Fishermen

At a United Nations conference last month, Indonesia became the first nation to publish the exact location and activity of its commercial fishing flee.

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Stranded Chemical Tanker Threatens Vietnamese Shores

Stranded Chemical Tanker Threatens Vietnamese Shores

The ship Chemroad Journey, en route to China with some 30,000 tons of chemicals and 27 crew members, has reportedly been grounded on a rocky bottom off the coast of Vietnam.

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Taiwan Turns Further Away from the Mainland

Taiwan Turns Further Away from the Mainland

Taiwanese recently celebrated a decision by a constitutional court granting same-sex marriage. On the more socially conservative mainland, the ruling drew criticism.

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One Year On From Vietnam’s Worst Environmental Disaster

One Year On From Vietnam’s Worst Environmental Disaster

Marking the first anniversary of the Formosa Plastics spill, protesters in the town of Kỳ Anh blocked the country’s main highway the first week of April.

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Vietnam Seeks to Calm Waters One Year After Environmental Disaster

Vietnam Seeks to Calm Waters One Year After Environmental Disaster

Hanoi has acknowledged its citizens’ newfound environmental activism, hoping to avoid any widespread social unrest. But it is also taking punitive measures to quell protests.

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Sean Spicer on the South China Sea

Sean Spicer on the South China Sea

Comments from White House spokesman Sean Spicer on the South China Sea seem to have riled the Chinese and confused others who follow developments in the region.

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Vietnam Hedging by Dredging in the South China Sea

Vietnam Hedging by Dredging in the South China Sea

Hanoi has been actively fortifying its key holdings in the Spratlys, including the construction of a runway, tunnels and bunkers to defend its territory against China.

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