WIMAYA

Utilization of the Greater Mekong Subregion Cross-Border Transport Agreement (GMS-CBTA)

Pittaya Suvakunta — 2024-12-26

The aim of this study was to analyze spatial data on the current status and progress in the implementation of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA). Problems, obstacles, and opportunities related to the agreement during implementation were examined. This qualitative research was performed using field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and brainstorming in focus groups. The results revealed that there is a need to develop road and rail transportation systems that connect with the customs houses of Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, Nakhon Phanom, and Nong Khai in Thailand. Cross-border transportation with neighboring countries needs to be improved as well because the transportation through customs houses is cheap and provides certain schedules. Cross-border regulations were found to be a major obstacle. In order to promote smooth cross-border transportation, negotiations at the state-to-state level and private-to-private level are needed. The connection of logistics networks under the GMS-CBTA framework will be flexible and can be adjusted according to the changing situations in the region and globally. Cooperation of the GMS in the transportation system could provide a mainland link that connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. It could provide a short and fast alternative route that could promote the potential of GMS competition at a global level, enhance bargaining power, and maintain the balance of power in the region.

When Public Opinion Left Behind: The Case Rejection of Visa on Arrival for Russian Tourists

Hetri Pima Anggara — 2024-12-26

The Visa on Arrival is Indonesia's foreign policy instrument to boost tourism. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had an impact on the increasing arrival of Russian tourists to Indonesia. The increasing number of Russians was also directly proportional to the violative and negative sentiments about Russian tourists on social media, public demands to revoke their visa. Despite negative public opinion, the Indonesian government still maintained visa on arrival for Russians. This paper analysed the case study by using Doeser’s (2013) model on circumstances when democratic governments neglected public opinion in foreign policy, with its indicators: issue salience, elite debate, and elite perceptions of international gains. This qualitative research used social media analysis to deconstruct the public opinion on issue salience and causal process tracing was used to analyse the context and development of the case. Interviews were conducted to obtain information and confirm the findings. This study found that the neglected of public opinion was carried out because the case categorized as non-critical issue happened episodically thus had low salience. Low media coverage and asymmetrical elite debates resulted in elite consensus. Then, Indonesia avoided economic and political losses and maintained bilateral relations with Russia.

Climate Change, Conflicts, and Forced Migration in the Middle East (2006-2022)

Karim Zaouaq — 2024-12-26

In the Middle East region, the repercussions of climate change on migration and conflicts are increasingly perceived as a security issue as long as it’s so far among the world’s most impacted regions by water scarcity, rising temperatures, desertification, aridity, and food insecurity. This research is based on a literature review of articles published from 2006 to 2022, to understand the relationship between climate change, conflicts and forced migration in the Middle East. It examines the climate factors and their impacts on conflicts eruption or resurgence, and people’s livelihood in the Middle East region. The findings show that climate change increases people’s vulnerability in the Middle East and drive them to migration which represents then an adaptation strategy. This review finds also that the literature has not established a strong connection between climate change and conflicts, neither between these two drivers and forced migration. However, there’s a consensus among literature that the links between climate change, conflicts and forced migration in the Middle East region should not be omitted or neglected.

QRIS Cross-Border: Indonesia’s Soft Power Diplomacy Instrument in Payment Digitalization in Southeast Asia

Julang Aryowiloto — 2024-12-26

The use of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) as a digital payment method has become widespread among the Indonesian population. This success can be attributed to the innovation and convenience offered by QRIS. Beyond Indonesia, QRIS can also be utilized as a digital payment method in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, and Brunei Darussalam through the QRIS Cross-Border initiative. This paper aims to explore the trajectory of QRIS Cross-Border as a digital payment system applicable in most Southeast Asian countries, despite the existence of similar payment systems already in use within these nations. From the perspective of soft power diplomacy, this paper argues that Indonesia has effectively influenced the digital payment policy preferences of Southeast Asian countries by positioning QRIS Cross-Border as a tool of soft power. By leveraging the competitive advantages of QRIS Cross-Border, Indonesia has successfully attracted these nations to adopt it as their digital payment system. Nevertheless, the implementation of QRIS Cross-Border has not yet fully reached all countries in Southeast Asia.

The Failures of the United Nations Security Council's Resolutions in Addressing the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Case Study of Resolution No. S/RES/2202 of 2015

Zulfikar Suardi — 2024-12-26

This study aims to analyze the failure of Resolution No. S/RES/2202 of 2015, issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to address the conflict between Russia and Ukraine during 2014-2015. This research falls within the realm of qualitative research, utilizing a descriptive-analytical method and data collection through a literature review including books, journals, official documents, and relevant research. Johan Galtung's Conflict Transformation theory supports the research to analyze the failure of this resolution from the perspective of its inability to transform the conflict from internal to multi-dimension based on the variable of conflict transformation. The findings indicate that the resolution failed to build peace of the Russia-Ukraine conflict due to the non-implementation of the resolution's points. The UNSC should prepare legal enforcement measures through the UN General Assembly to restrict Russia's decision-making concerning the Ukrainian crisis.

China-US Competition Impact on Small and Middle Powers’ Strategic Choices by Simona A. Grano and David Wei Feng Huang

Diah Ayu Wulandari — 2024-12-26

A Genealogy of Bamboo Diplomacy: The Politics of Thai Détente with Russia and China by Jittipat Poonkham.

Dewi Fortuna Sari — 2024-12-26