Israeli-Palestine violence impacts Southeast Asian Muslim nations’ ties with Israel
The recent violence between Israel and Palestine creates a challenge for Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei’s covert relationships with Tel Aviv.
Articles by Umair Jamal
COVID-19 surge in Thai prisons is a warning to other countries in Asia
The emergence of thousands of COVID-19 cases in Thailand’s jails underscores the threat posed by overcrowded prisons across Asia.
The Myanmar military’s planned “intranet” is likely to fail
A report by the International Crisis Group says that Myanmar’s military is developing a local intranet system to limit access to the internet. However, it is unlikely to succeed as it lacks technological sophistication and growing international and domestic resistance.
Myanmar military resumes its repression of academia, educators
Myanmar’s military regime has suspended thousands of academics for refusing to come to work. With the military likely to continue its clampdown on the education sector, hopes remain that Myanmar’s academics will not give in to the junta’s demands.
Sara Duterte poised for Philippine presidential run despite strategic denials
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Sara Duterte, continue to insist that she will not run in next year’s presidential election. However campaigns in support of her potential candidacy are growing and the president may have already chosen his daughter as his favorite candidate for the top post.
Vietnam’s new COVID-19 outbreak threatens economic growth
Vietnam has been praised globally for containing coronavirus outbreaks but the latest wave of cases poses a threat to the country’s economic growth, particularly as it jeopardizes plans to reopen international tourism.
Myanmar rebels accelerate attacks, refugee crisis looms large
As fighting intensifies between Myanmar’s military and ethnic rebel groups, civilians are being forced to flee their homes to Thailand and India. A humanitarian crisis with regional implications could erupt if the trend continues.
Philippines to benefit from Pakistan’s counterterrorism experience
Pakistan has made major gains in its fight against terrorism and the Philippines has indicated that it hopes to learn from Islamabad’s experiences and capabilities.
Report says Myanmar junta vulnerable to sanctions on foreign cash flow
While calls mount for sanctions on the Myanmar military’s cash flows, analysts believe such tactics will not help change the junta’s actions.
Ramadan travel poses challenge for Malaysia and Indonesia’s COVID restrictions
Though Indonesia and Malaysia have already restricted travel ahead of the Eid holidays, the likelihood that millions will migrate to celebrate the festival after the month of Ramadan remains a challenge.