Event Dime

Revisiting the Role of Public Opinion in Foreign Policy: The Case of Brunei in the South China Sea [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

When:

May 16, 2026 · 5:31 PM

Source:

F1000Research

Although claiming a rectangular Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that encompasses the Louisa Reef and maritime features in the Spratly Islands, Brunei has not taken a stance that reflects decisiveness in safeguarding its claims in the South China Sea. For decades, scholars have argued that economic factors fuel Brunei’s silence in the disputed waters. However, as a means of seeking an alternative interpretation, this study argues for the relevance of the nexus between public opinion and foreign pol