ISEAS Perspective provides analysis of specific current events and their significance for the Southeast Asian region. This will be published occasionally, and is aimed at keeping decision-makers in both the public and private sectors informed; as well as scholars, laymen and the interested public. This series undergoes a peer-review process.
2023/48 “Current Key Drivers of ASEAN Integration: Digital Skills and Mobilities” by Melinda Martinus and Farah Nadine Seth
2023 No. 48
COVID-19 and the rise of the digital economy are excellent opportunities for ASEAN to accelerate its regional integration push.
2023/47 “What Drives Vietnam’s Tightened Public Sphere?” by Nguyen Khac Giang and Dien Nguyen An Luong
2023 No. 47
Since 2016, the Vietnamese government has tightened its grip on traditional media, the online sphere, and civil society.
2022/46 “Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement: A Cambodian Perspective” by Vannarith Chheang
2023 No. 46
The Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), which came into force in January 2022, has provided Cambodia with renewed impetus to enhance trade facilitation and expand its trade portfolio. This is in line with the objectives of its Rectangular Strategy (2018-2023) and the economic diplomacy initiative that it launched in January 2021.
2023/45 “Why China Supports the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone” by Hoang Thi Ha
2023 No. 45
Almost three decades after the signing of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, none of the five recognised Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) has acceded to its Protocol.
2023/44 “The Power of Fantasy: Southeast Asians Develop an Obsession with Chinese Xianxia Dramas” by Gwendolyn Yap
2023 No. 44
In the past five years, a new genre of Chinese drama, xianxia (仙侠), has been rising in popularity in Southeast Asia. This genre combines Chinese mythology and culture with fantasy and action and has been very well-received by Southeast Asian audiences.
2023/43 “Move Forward Party Has Won the Election, but May Lose the Premiership Race” by Termsak Chalermpalanupap
2023 No. 43
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Move Forward Party (MFP) scored a surprise victory in the Thai general election on 14 May.
2023/42 “Southeast Asian Views on the United States: Perceptions Versus Objective Reality” by Lee Sue-Ann
2023 No. 42
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Data trends from the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s State of Southeast Asia annual survey carried out between 2019 and 2023 suggest an enduring tendency among the respondents in ASEAN member states to underestimate the United States’ power and influence in the region. The respondents have overwhelmingly identified China not only as the […]
2023/41 “Vietnam’s Anti-corruption Campaign: Economic and Political Impacts” by Nguyen Khac Giang
2023 No. 41
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vietnam’s current anti-corruption campaign, which led to the forced resignations of the state president and two deputy prime ministers in early 2023, is the most comprehensive anti-corruption effort in the history of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The campaign has had some positive impacts on the economy, including reducing the informal costs […]
2023/40 “A Strategic Reset?: The Philippines-United States Alliance under President Marcos Jr.” by Aries A. Arugay and Ian Storey
2023 No. 40
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Philippines-United States alliance has been reinvigorated since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected president in May 2022. Marcos Jr’s US policy radically departs from his predecessor given his appreciation of the Philippines’ security vulnerabilities in the South China Sea and intensified US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region. Since Marcos took office, the two […]
2023/39 “Perak and Islamic Education: PAS’ Gateway to the West Coast” by Mohd Faizal Musa and Afra Alatas
2023 No. 39
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) baffled many when it claimed the highest number of parliamentary seats after the 15th General Election (GE) in November 2022. The numbers indicate that their influence is no longer restricted to the east coast, but that they are gradually making inroads into the west coast, as evident […]