ASEAN’s economic boom in the last few decades belies an ever-worsening crisis of drug misuse. Individual governments have tried means and ways to tackle the crux of the problem, yet are their approaches effective? Ting Fang Chu examines the intricacies of the fight against drugs, and argues that regardless of the path taken, a coordinated and united response from ASEAN is exigent.
With water scarcity set to become one of the most contentious issues in international relations, Southeast Asia is no exception. Looking at the Mekong river basin, Braedie Atkins looks at how rising water tensions can be subdued by ASEAN, creating a water management system and facilitating technological innovation to ensure water supplies. Yet, China’s unwillingness to cooperate will continue to be a barrier in quenching the thirst for conflict within the region.
Paid domestic work is a common feature of many middle-class households in Southeast Asia. Despite their contributions, the women in this line of work are still treated like second-class citizens. Why is this the case?
Alicia Lukman explores how gender dynamics play out in domestic workers’ lives.
Braedie Atkins discusses the importance of coral reefs for Southeast Asia while also looking into how their overexploitation, as well as increasing global temperatures due to climate change, is making the region more vulnerable. ASEAN must play the quintessential role of filling any adaption or mitigation gaps left from mass coral bleaching.
Post-Brexit, the UK will have to begin negotiating trade terms with Southeast Asia without the EU’s backing. Considering the challenges associated with both bilateralism and multilateralism, how should the UK approach ASEAN?
Phitchakan Chuangchai is a 3rd year Warwick PhD candidate in Creative Industries. She has been granted a Masters’ and PhD scholarship from the Royal Thai government. Phitchakan’s research focuses on discovering whether the ‘Creative City’ discourse, which is endorsed by UNESCO, the British Council, and most recently ASEAN, is a Trojan horse for neoliberalism. What […]
Does ASEAN really matter? Can ASEAN really provide enough power and leverage for smaller states against bigger ones such as China?
Sports has the potential to unite diverse peoples and expand a country’s influence. But in Southeast Asia, it’s still struggling to obtain support. What can we do to change this?