Asian Insights

What does the us-china thaw imply?

• After a period of deteriorating ties, Washington and Beijing are making tentative moves to patch up relations and to form guardrails against inadvertent escalation.
• Domestic politics is spurring Washington to pursue this cooldown, while Beijing finds itself surrounded by neighbours increasingly sceptical of its behaviour, if not outright hostile.

Thailand sees no clear path forward following inconclusive polls

• The 2023 Thai polls saw a large-scale realignment of voters disinclined towards military rule, as the reformist Move Forward was welcomed as an alternative to Pheu Thai.
• Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat is attempting to position himself as a prime minister-in waiting, but the politics of coalition formation are not in his favour.