Fabio Scarpello

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's announcement last week that he will introduce sweeping reforms has mostly met with a positive reception. Some observers have also added that in seizing the political initiative on reform, he has stopped the momentum of Bersih, a grouping of 62 civil society organizations closely associated with the opposition coalition. There are grounds for a less-rosy assessment, however. more

In February 2002, U.S. Special Forces arrived in southern Philippines, hot on the trail of various Islamic organizations that had taken sanctuary in Mindanao. The 2002 deployment marked the opening of the so-called Second Front in the Global War on Terror. A decade later, assessing the results of America's post-Sept. 11 involvement in the region depends on which perspective one examines it through. more

President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines surprised many when he covertly met Murad Ibrahim, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in Tokyo on August 4. The meeting was a clear step forward in a peace process that has haltingly dragged on for some 14 years. Yet the ripple effects it generated exemplify the intractability of the Moro issue and have added a new sense of urgency to the process. more

Despite numerous statements by Philippine and U.S. authorities over the past few years highlighting progress in the fight against terrorism, recent events in the southernmost corner of the Philippines show that the battle there is far from won. On Aug. 1, seven Philippine marines were killed and 21 others wounded after being ambushed by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, in the Sulu Archipelago.
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Weeks after the Malaysian government cracked down on pro-reform protesters gathered under the banner of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, or Bersih, uncertainty is still thick in Kuala Lumpur. The July 9 rally was a protest in favor of electoral reforms and anti-corruption measures. But while Bersih is unlikely to spark a "Malaysian Spring," the movement is already shaking up Malaysian politics. more

One year after taking office, Philippine President Benigno Aquino's effort to end the country's internal conflicts is still stuck in first gear. Aquino has prioritized reaching settlements with the Muslim Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines. But while he has made progress, doubts remain about whether the steps he has taken are a real attempt to achieve lasting peace. 
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The appointment by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of his own brother-in-law as army chief has highlighted a trend that sees Indonesia's political leaders keen to maintain personal control of the security apparatus. While coverage has focused on Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo's past record, it is worth looking at what his appointment means for Indonesia's processes of democratization and security sector reform.
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Thailand has enjoyed a relative calm in the past few months. Political demonstrations have been orderly, and a string of bombs that shook the capital toward the end of 2010 did not continue into 2011. This lull, however, could be merely the calm before another storm. In fact, with a general election scheduled for July 3, a distinct lack of fundamental change characterizes Thailand's faulty democratic system. more

Since taking office in June 2010, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has pushed through initiatives aimed at improving the professionalism of the Philippines' military. The drive remains restricted to certain aspects of civil-military relations, and as such is bound to have only limited impact. But the president's actions have established an overall political climate that seems, for now, more inclined toward reform. more

A new intelligence reform bill currently being debated by Indonesia's parliament could have serious repercussions for the archipelagic country's security and its process of democratization. The long-overdue bill is a step in the right direction, since intelligence operations in Indonesia are currently flimsily regulated by a presidential decree. Still, the proposal currently on the table is hardly ideal. more

Assessing ASEAN is always a tricky matter. The organization has been criticized lately for its inability to mediate the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia as well as for failing to put enough pressure on the Myanmar junta. Nevertheless, there is a growing awareness among the group's members of an ASEAN identity, and security and defense are gaining ground as an area that may help to shape that identity. more

With Indonesia experiencing an escalation of terrorist violence, analysts have focused on trying to determine who is behind each of the recent attacks. Assessing the nature and affiliation of the groups responsible is important. But the current situation may be the result of several converging trends that suggest Indonesia must confront some of its persistent demons if it wants to contain terrorism. more

Following the recent spate of popular uprisings in the Middle East, it is widely expected that Western policymakers will draft pro-democracy aid packages for the region, many of which will focus on security sector reform. This is a welcome development, but in the rush to support these countries, aid donors should not forget those that are already going through a similar process. Indonesia is a case in point. more

While the reopening of peace talks between the government of Philippine President Benigno Aquino and the country's leading Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is a welcome development, doubts remain on whether the Philippines is ready to seal the deal. Nevertheless, although there is no certainty that the initial exploratory talks will proceed toward formal negotiations, there is shared optimism. more

Upholding an electoral promise, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has pushed for the reopening of peace talks with the Maoist rebels of the New People's Army and the Islamic rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The prospects for the two peace tracks are beset with difficulties, although for different reasons, with the NPA talks in particular presenting daunting challenges. more

With the U.N. Mission in Nepal preparing for its Jan. 15 exit, few were surprised by the head of the mission's final, stern warning. UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren warned that growing differences between political parties and a stagnating peace process represent major challenges to Nepal's future. Landgren, like several experts, also warned that a return to war is possible. But will UNMIN's departure exacerbate the risk? more

Thailand's democratic crisis has complicated its relationship with the U.S., pushing Bangkok closer to Beijing. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's dubious legitimacy and Thailand's progressive slide toward a military regime have left the U.S. undecided on how to proceed. Washington has not openly condemned Bangkok, but neither has it offered support. The resulting strain on U.S.-Thai relations has provided openings for Beijing. more

The ripple effects of Thailand's withering democracy are being felt across Southeast Asia, a highly dynamic region that has never fully embraced democracy. Thailand's slide towards authoritarianism has deprived the key regional organization, ASEAN, of its most-progressive leader and tarnished participatory democracy as an approach to governance in the view of some.
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The withering of Thailand's democracy is closing potential avenues for political resolution of the country's ongoing crisis and may lead toward widespread violence, and possibly even an armed revolt. The latest episode in this ongoing, self-destructive process was the Constitutional Court's decision on Nov. 29 to dismiss a case against the ruling Democrat Party -- which had been accused of electoral fraud -- on a technicality. more

DENPASAR, Indonesia -- In the tussle for influence in Southeast Asia, the United States and China have long been competing for Indonesia's affections. But Washington and Beijing have lately expanded their courtship of Jakarta from the traditional areas of trade agreements, foreign direct investment, market access and technical assistance, to increasingly include offers of military hardware and military cooperation. more