Thailand’s New Conservative Turn

Did GE2022 Change Malaysia for Good?

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun unpacks Malaysia’s previous general election – and the next one – with four contributors of the just-published book Malaysia’s 2022 General Election: Crafting Power in a Crowded Arena [https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/publication/8013]: Howard Lee, Nuurrianti Jalli, Shahril Hamdan, and Danesh Chacko. 2:55 – Big tent coalitional politics in Malaysia 11:56 – Effects of social media and TikTok on electoral health 18:19 – Candidate vs party factor 26:20 – Pragmatic and tactical voting 36:20 – Leadership qualities and Malay voters 41:58 – Simulation of GE16 minority turnout and vote swing scenarios 47:11 – DAP outlook in strongholds and DAP-PH relations 54:55 – Artificial Intelligence and the next election 1:01:10 Audience Q&A 1 – Key factors in next election, voter fatigue and disaffection, effect of splinter parties – on federal and Perak politics, Undi-18 consequences 1:21:45 Audience Q&A 2 – Influence of monarchy, economic indicators, disillusioned youth, long-term trends 1:38:55 Closing round – When will GE16 happen and what will it feature? Get your copy of Malaysia’s 2022 General Election: Crafting Power in a Crowded Arena [https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/publication/8013] and The Defeat of Barisan Nasional: Missed Signs or Late Surge? [https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/publication/2414] Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Southeast Asia Between the Giants

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/] editor William Choong talks to Piper Campbell and Joanne Lin about Southeast Asia operating amid rivalry between China and the US. Ambassador Campbell is the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security, American University. She has taught at the university since January 2020. This followed a distinguished, 30-year diplomatic career. Joanne Lin is the coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Centre [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/centres/asean-studies-centre/] at ISEAS. 2:45 – How did speakers’ “love affair” with Southeast Asia start? 11:11 – The importance of Southeast Asia 17:56 – The contradiction between Southeast Asia’s importance and the US’ falling currency in the region 25:30 – Are Southeast Asians more inclined towards China? 33:20 – Trump’s concept of a Group of 2 (G2): where is this headed? Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/].

Japan’s Grand Strategy Amid Geopolitical Flux

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor William Choong talks to Kei Koga about Japan’s grand strategy and approach to the Indo-Pacific amid challenges to the global rules-based order. Prof Koga is Associate Professor and Head of Division at the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). 4:20 – Japan’s grand strategy towards the Indo-Pacific? 10:30 – How the disruption to the rule-based order is affecting Japan and Southeast Asia 15:20 – Adapting to a “world minus one” system 19:30 - The future trajectory of the US-Japan alliance 27:00 – PM Takaichi’s polite “no” to Trump on the Gulf 30:30 – Japan and the future of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (is it dead?) 36:45 – Systemic factors behind ructions in Sino-Japanese relations 43:40 – The issue of history in Sino-Japanese relations Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/].

Thailand’s New Conservative Turn

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor William Choong talks to Mathis Lohatepanont about the implications of the recent elections in Thailand. Mr Lohatepanont, a frequent contributor to Fulcrum, is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Political Science, University of Michigan. 2:10 – A decisive outcome in the recent Thai elections 5:08 – Will reported procedural irregularities undermine the election results? 8:46 – The key factors behind Bhumjaithai’s rise to prominence 14:30 – Bhumjaithai’s adoption of the populist “half-half” policy 17:05  – The future of the People’s Party 23:27 – Has the Pheu Thai Party reached the end of the road? 27:57 – The Democrat Party and its pullback from extinction 34:20 – Will Thailand remain stuck at the conservative end of the political spectrum? 37:21 – The question of political reforms under a conservative government 40:05 – Thailand’s approach towards the dispute with Cambodia, and the popular mood towards the war in Iran Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

The Supreme Court and Trump’s Tariffs: Restrained or Resurgent?

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor Lee Hwok-Aun speaks with Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/], on the implications of the US Supreme Court declaring Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs illegal. 2:35 – The crux, surprising and expected elements of the Supreme Court 5:47 – Section 122 tariffs (15% for 150 days) – what should Southeast Asian countries do? 12:39 – Section 232 tariffs (based on “national interest”) – outlook and implications 19:28 – Section 301 tariffs (based on “unfair trade practices”) – outlook and implications 23:00 – Premises and outcomes of US trade policy: shifts since Liberation Day 28:31 – Domestic constraints on Trump’s foreign policy 33:09 – Will the tariff’s effects start to bite in 2026, and what are the political ramifications? 35:56 – Financial markets – impact on Trump’s policy and disconnect from real economy? 38:30 – New global order / Carney’s speech 41:47 – What should ASEAN do? 43:22 – China-US rivalry and upcoming Trump-Xi summit Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.