ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Happening now — We are pleased to have our Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellows, Dr Sophie Yi and Dr Zenobia Chan with us this morning to discuss - defence .

Taking us on a dive deep into China’s military engagement with ASEAN and Southeast Asia countries, the speakers shared their research on the motivation, different forms of engagement, and activity patterns to better understand the strategies behind these defence diplomacy efforts. They also discussed the perspectives from Southeast Asian countries, highlighting the difference in nuances from China’s. The presentations are followed by an interactive Q&A session with both in-person and online audiences.

This seminar, titled 'Presence Without Pacts: China-ASEAN Defence Diplomacy', is moderated by Dr Ian Storey and organised by the Regional Strategic and Political Studies Centre.

Fulcrum Commentary by Luna Ge Lai - Chinese firms are investing in Malaysia at record levels, but many recent entrants tend to fill key technical and managerial positions with costly expatriates rather than develop Malaysian successors.

Malaysia’s Chinese Investment Boom Has a Hiring Problem | FULCRUM Chinese firms are investing in Malaysia at record levels, but many recent entrants tend to fill key technical and managerial positions with costly expatriates rather than develop Malaysian successo…

Upcoming next week - Events on engaging in 2026 and industrial policy in

Full details at https://www.iseas.edu.sg/events/upcoming-events/

Fulcrum Commentary by Peh Ko Hsu and Siwage Dharma Negara - Indonesia has managed to surpass targets for renewable energy. The problem, however, is that green sources of energy continue to exist with their brown counterparts.

Indonesia’s Green Industrialisation Plans Have a Brown Problem | FULCRUM Indonesia has managed to surpass targets for renewable energy. The problem, however, is that green sources of energy continue to exist with their brown counterparts.

ISEAS Perspective by Burhanuddin Muhtadi - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is not a monolithic voting bloc. NU’s numerical strength has never guaranteed consolidated electoral support. In 2024, Nahdliyin split their votes across parties and candidates, thus Anies–Muhaimin, the ticket most directly associated with NU, failed to win them over decisively.

2026/60 “Beyond the Symbolism: Organisational Networks and the Conditional Electoral Power of Nahdlatul Ulama” by Burhanuddin Muhtadi Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is not a monolithic voting bloc. NU’s numerical strength has never guaranteed consolidated electoral support. In 2024, Nahdliyin split their votes across parties and candidates, thus Anies–Muhaimin, the ticket most directly associated with NU, failed to win them over decisiv...

Happening tomorrow - Presence Without Pacts: China-ASEAN Defence Diplomacy

Sign up here - https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/presence-without-pacts-china-asean-defence-diplomacy/

ASEANFocus@Fulcrum by Julia Goh, Syetarn Hansakul, Azril Bin Rosli, Siwage Dharma Negara, Nguyen Khac Giang, and Julia Tijaja - Geopolitical conflict, energy disruptions and shifting global supply chains are testing Southeast Asia’s economic resilience. ASEANFocus+ asked regional experts how individual countries are responding and whether ASEAN has the tools to collectively manage the next shock. Their insights highlight the different challenges facing the region, as well as the need for stronger regional coordination, deeper market integration and greater resilience across energy, trade, food and financial systems.

https://fulcrum.sg/aseanfocus/how-do-asean-countries-fare-in-managing-global-economic-shocks/

Fulcrum Commentary by Su Mon Thazin Aung - Starlink is seeking to curtail access to one of its Internet services. This would affect many conflict-afflicted regions in Myanmar



https://fulcrum.sg/the-humanitarian-costs-of-starlinks-policy/

Fulcrum Commentary by Paul Teng and Genevieve Donnellon-May - China is determined to become more self-sufficient in its food supply. This will have implications for ASEAN economies.

China’s Drive for Food Self-Sufficiency: What It Means for ASEAN Countries | FULCRUM China is determined to become more self-sufficient in its food supply. This will have implications for ASEAN economies.

Join us for this webinar to hear from the perspectives of and , their considerations on engaging as seeks to re-enter the international diplomatic fold in 2026.

Sign up here - https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/engaging-naypyidaw-in-2026-bangkok-and-new-delhis-considerations/