The interaction of national armed forces and private business sectors offers a useful lens for viewing the politics of numerous countries of the so-called Global South. A rising trend of military political activism—often accompanied by military commercial activity—underlines the importance of drivers and outcomes in these relationships.
In the last decade, nondemocratic regimes have received more development assistance than democratic countries. This reveals how donors struggle with autocratization despite a rhetorical commitment to democracy.
Evan Feigenbaum and Darshana Baruah sit down with Douglas Farrar to talk about the U.S.-ASEAN special summit
ASEAN countries’ responses to the war in Ukraine have not been cohesive, largely due to the perceived selectiveness of the EU’s refugee policy. This disconnect is resulting in a breakdown of trust in the EU-ASEAN relationship, a partnership that is necessary in order to revive multilateralism.
Outside national capitals, Chinese players are engaging local actors, from mayors, to community groups, to faith-based organizations in dynamic ways. This, in turn, is both entrenching China’s influence and compelling Chinese actors to adapt to and meet local demands.
China has long been one of Myanmar's most significant economic partners, investing in infrastructure projects such as copper mining and energy. But how did the Myanmar coup in 2021 impact their bilateral relations? Xue Gong details the economic relationship between the two countries and how China's engagement with Myanmar has adapted to the country's new political reality.
Chinese economic players in Myanmar initially relied on ties to the government and ruling elites. Faced with controversy, they turned to actors that local communities trust and listen to as de facto partners and informal advisers.
