Archives

Will Karen State go to war again?

The underlying dynamics of violent conflict in Karen State remain largely unchanged, which may cause a relapse if they are not meaningfully addressed.

Malaysia – revisiting the secular state debate

Ahmad Farouk Musa provides a cogent account of why a secular state is better than an Islamic state, and that Muslims can best practice their faith in a secular state.

Splits in the Singapore elite

Will Singapore go the Taiwan way in its democratisation process – a split in the elite? Improbable argues Michael Barr.

Thailand’s internal armed conflict

In southernmost Thailand unlawful attacks by the insurgents should be classified as war crimes.

In the shadow of strongmen

Southeast Asia shows us that there are two paths to democratisation – one of big bang change with reforms and another of simply muddling through.

Protect Siam: What’s new?

Given the number of protesters on 28 October 2012, which was more than any recent PAD, Siam Samkkhi or Blue Sky event, we may be in for more interesting times.

Najib the Delayer

Is Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, pursuing the military strategy of Roman dictator Fabius Maximus, who was known as Fabius the Delayer?

Southern Thailand’s other revolution

There is a revolution going on in Southern Thailand and I'm not talking about the insurgency.

Making Rohingya statelessness

According to this analysis, the National League for Democracy's discriminatory policy on Rohingya is no less than that of the former military regime.

Mahathir created Pakatan Rakyat

Did Mahathir plant the seeds to the current opposition coalition through his draconian measures to, ironically, stifle the opposition?

Handbooks: practical and auspicious

Thailand's numerous environmental handbooks (р╕Др╕╣р╣Ир╕бр╕╖р╕н, р╕Хр╕│р╕гр╕▓) have proven to be a valuable blend of common sense, superstition and rationalist understanding.

The Village: a micro review

Far from a great novel, but The Village offers some perceptive insights into the micro-politics of rural Thailand.