Category: Featured

Featured articles from FORSEA contributors.


In an increasingly dangerous neighbourhood, Australia needs a stronger security system

Australia’s actions are not happening in a vacuum. Rather, Australia is appropriately and commensurately responding in an effort to bolster its own resilience and deterrence. After all, wars start when one side calculates the other’s ability to deter is insufficient and they feel confident of victory. Deterrence is critically important.

/ July 2, 2020

FORSEA’s Maung Zarni speaks to Anadolu Agency on wide ranging issues in Southeast Asia

The Burmese public has been made ignorant of the facts about Islam and Muslims Zarni explains. There is no reason for the Burmese government to target Rohingya as they do not demand secession, independence, or even a regional autonomy.

/ June 28, 2020

Does Real Democracy Stand a Chance in Thailand? | Inside Story

It's eighty eight years since the revolution in Thailand which was the end of the absolute monarchy and the start of democracy. But it's the army and the Royal palace which today define much of Thai politics.

/ June 27, 2020

Scientists Renew the Green Revolution

Asian cultivated rice is the world’s most important staple, producing food for half the global population. It is now more important than ever as an additional 112 million tonnes of rice are expected to be needed to be produced on shrinking land by 2035.

/ June 26, 2020

FORSEA Statement of Solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter from Southeast Asia

We call on activists, irrespective of ethnic identities, dominant or subjugated conditions, nationality or legal status within Southeast Asia to embark on political, educational and activist programs aimed at de-colonising popular consciousness and transforming internally colonial institutions and practices.

/ June 20, 2020
Populist Demagogy Southeast Asia

Mesrob Vartavarian on Demagogy in Southeast Asia: Thaksin and Duterte Compared

Thaksin and Duterte are leading examples of Populist Demagogy in Southeast Asia. Yet, they have both faced embedded elite interests that have mounted formidable defences of their privileges. This has curtailed populist inroads into established power networks.

/ June 19, 2020

FORSEA Condemns the Conviction of Maria Ressa

Maria Ressa who is the founder and executive editor of the online news site, Rappler, is facing up to six years in prison. She has been charged of violating the 2012 Cyber Crime Law of the Philippines. FORSEA condemns the questionable charges against Masia Ressa.

/ June 17, 2020

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights Breaks its Silence of Thai Abduction

APHR calls on parliamentarians in Thailand and Cambodia to hold their governments to account by asking for regular reports on their respective efforts and progress in finding the whereabouts of Wanchalearm Satsakit.

/ June 11, 2020
King Vajiralongkorn change in the use of lèse-majesté law

A Softer Approach From Thailand’s Sophisticated Monarch

From the judges and the police, to the army and officials in the ICT, they all serve as defenders of the monarchy, thus making the Computer Crime Act as effective as the lèse-majesté law in purging dissent from Thai society.

/ June 6, 2020

FORSEA condemns the abduction of Thai dissident in Cambodia

We wish to condemn the state abduction of Wanchalearm and urge the international community to further seek truth behind this heinous act.

/ June 5, 2020