The last month has seen a number of defining geopolitical events, most notably the inception of AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, which has aggravating implications for US-China tensions and for relations in Southeast Asia.
In contrast to the seriousness of recent events, September has also been a month highlighted by festivals, including Yom Kippur and the birthday of Confucius. In Central Asia, Pashtun Culture Day was celebrated on 24 September – a refreshing reminder that Afghanistan and the wider region should not be defined by conflict alone.
This month’s edition of Tomorrow Matters begins with an analysis of another US-China event: the surprisingly fluid exchange of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou for Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Then, we move to Indonesia, with a fascinating long read on the politics surrounding the sugar industry.
India provides the third read for this month, with a historical analysis of the right to fly in India, and the challenges India faces with regards to its budding aviators.
Returning to Southeast Asia, a broad stroke article from Vietnam questions solar panels and the problems the region faces on the road to solar energy self-sufficiency.
Finally, this month’s edition closes with a piece on the impacts of sea level rise facing Bangladesh – and an unlikely protection in the form of oyster reefs.
We hope you enjoy this month’s selection of some of the most interesting commentary from around the region.