Politics
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The Strategic Relations of ASEAN and the EU: Trade, Green Economy, Geopolitics
Guest Article by Jit Soon Aw Once colonial, now collaborative: the EU and ASEAN are evolving history’s imbalance into a mutually lucrative partnership. The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) are undoubtedly two of the most successful regional blocs with the shared aim of enhancing…
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New Kid on the Bloc: Timor-Leste and the Future of ASEAN
ASEAN is at a pivotal geopolitical crossroads – global powers such as the US and China jostle for influence in Southeast Asia, with the organization often finding itself on the short end of the stick. Timor-Leste stands at the heart of it all, where the nation is on the brink…
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May Fourth and Modern China: Nationalism, Memory, and the CCP’s Security State
What kind of country is China going to become? China continues to dominate headlines and remains a central focus for policymakers, analysts, and commentators in the West. Yet, scholarly opinions are more divided than ever on how to address the so-called “China Challenge.” As China grows markedly more powerful—while maintaining…
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Crosscurrents in Manila: 2025 Midterms and the New Geopolitical Order
The 2025 Philippine midterm elections, held on May 12, are more than a routine contest for Senate and House seats; the vote is widely seen as a referendum on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. It takes place amid a high-profile rift between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, former allies…
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The China-Laos Railway and the Price of Connectivity: Unequal Partners in a “Win-Win” Project
Despite its “win-win” branding as a flagship Belt and Road link transforming Laos from “land-locked” to “land-linked,” the China–Laos Railway has deepened asymmetric power dynamics. Thousands of Laotian families have been displaced, Laos’ 30 % ownership stake was financed by onerous Chinese loans that trap it in debt, and both…
Sino-Southeast Initiative 