Posts From Alexander Macleod

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Asia Pacific Politics

Trends of 2016: Could the Rohingya be Aung San Suu Kyi’s downfall?

By downplaying the Rohingya issue, Aung San Suu Kyi is walking a thin line, trying to balance competing interests. Yet her silence undermines her position.

Asia Pacific Economics

Three things to consider about Trump’s plan to brand China as a ‘currency manipulator’

The US dollar rallied after Trump’s victory, forcing the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) to lower the yuan’s reference rate for 11 consecutive trading days.

Asia Pacific Economics

Prospects for unrest in Thailand’s rice bowl

Collapsing agricultural prices have forced the junta to offer loans to rice farmers. Rice subsidisation in Thailand has historically proven ill-fated.

Asia Pacific Economics

Rakhine state violence threatens Myanmar’s reform

Renewed conflict in Rakhine state highlights important structural risks to Myanmar’s reform project. Military influence over politics in Rakhine could ensure that the Rohingya dilemma remains a burden for many

Asia Pacific Economics

Opportunity grows in Indonesia as tourism sector blooms

Bali has traditionally dominated Indonesia’s tourism sector—but there numerous still-untapped economic opportunities within the vast island archipelago.

Politics South and Central Asia

China-Vietnam agreement signals regional shift in the South China Sea

Amidst China’s land reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea, the recent deal with Vietnam has far reaching implications for the region

Asia Pacific Politics

Manila’s “Duterte Harry”: Should investors be worried?

While investors appear confident in Rodrigo Duterte’s national project will his drug vendetta affect the Philippines’ economic prospects over the long term?

Asia Pacific Security

Southeast Asia forges fresh approaches to combat Islamic State

The Islamic State is expanding its presence in Southeast Asia. However, local governments are developing new approaches to combat terrorism.

Asia Pacific Economics

Assessing the investment climate in post-1MDB Malaysia

With Malaysia grappling with the prolonged fallout from the 1MDB scandal, has the scandal has caused a noticeable shift in Malaysia’s investment climate?