Philippines’ Corruption Struggle: A Deepening Crisis and Uncertain Future The Philippines continues to grapple with deeply entrenched corruption, as evidenced by its recent slide in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Falling six places to 120th out of 182 countries in 2025, the nation’s score of 32 out of 100 reflects a worsening perception of … Read more
A wave of intimidation targeting activists and social media influencers in Indonesia is raising concerns about a decline in freedom of expression, particularly in the wake of criticism surrounding the government’s response to devastating floods and landslides in Sumatra. Rising Concerns Over Intimidation Over the past week, several individuals vocal about the government’s handling of … Read more
Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto’s free nutritious meal program is facing increasing scrutiny over its substantial cost and implementation challenges. The program, launched on January 6 of last year to combat stunting, currently represents 8.7 percent of the total state budget – Rp 335 trillion – for the current year. Rapid Expansion and Rising Costs … Read more
Trump’s Venezuela Policy: A Looming Era of Extended US Oversight in Latin America? Former President Donald Trump’s recent statement regarding Venezuela – asserting a continued role for senior US officials in the nation’s governance until a “proper and judicious transition” occurs, and a warning to the wider region – has sent ripples through Latin American … Read more
Why Indonesia’s River Basins Are Becoming the Frontline of Climate‑Resilient Policy Recent flood and landslide events in North Sumatra have exposed how upstream activities—gold mining, palm oil plantations, and hydro‑project construction—can tip the balance from natural resilience to catastrophe. Governments, investors, and NGOs are now looking ahead to a new era of stricter environmental compliance … Read more
Indonesia’s Political Landscape: Analyzing Prabowo’s Cabinet Reshuffle and Future Implications Recent events in Indonesia signal significant shifts in the nation’s political landscape. President Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet reshuffle, driven by public distrust and the need for greater political consolidation, points to several key trends shaping the future of Indonesian governance. This article delves into these trends, … Read more
Indonesia’s Fiscal Tightrope: Balancing National Ambitions and Regional Realities Indonesia stands at a crucial juncture. President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious agenda, fueled by flagship programs like free nutritious meals and the Red and White Cooperatives, is set to reshape the nation’s fiscal landscape. However, this ambition comes with a significant shift: a planned reduction of nearly … Read more
Debanking and the Crypto Counter-Revolution: Will Politics Shape Your Bank Account? The clash between traditional finance and emerging technologies is intensifying, fueled by accusations of politically motivated “debanking.” But what does this mean for the future of banking, and could crypto be the escape hatch? Operation Chokepoint 2.0: A New Battleground? The term “Operation Chokepoint … Read more
Supply Chain Disruptions: Navigating the New Normal in Global Trade As a seasoned observer of global trade dynamics, I’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts reshaping supply chains. The recent challenges, highlighted by disruptions in Southeast Asia, are not isolated incidents. They represent a new normal, demanding strategic foresight and adaptability from businesses of all sizes. … Read more
Rewriting History: A Look Ahead at Indonesia’s Evolving Narrative The winds of change are blowing across Indonesia, and the very fabric of its history is being re-examined. A controversial initiative to rewrite the nation’s history, spearheaded by Culture Minister Fadli Zon, is sparking a national debate. But what does this mean for the future? This … Read more