The COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted vulnerable groups globally and regionally. This study explores the hardships experienced by Thai nationals working in Malaysia, including their vulnerabilities related to undocumented status and inadequate social protection. Layoffs, lack of access to aid, and strict border controls exacerbated financial and emotional distress for these migrant workers. Many faced deportation threats, healthcare inaccessibility, and exploitative working conditions. Interviews with migrant workers, academics, government officials, non-governmental organization staff, and community members reveal severe socioeconomic challenges that reflect systemic inequalities within the country, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address these pressing issues. The findings also underscore the urgent need for regional cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia to address the legal, humanitarian, and health-related issues exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly those affecting Thai labor migrants.

This study examines the alliance dilemma in the US-South Korea relationship, characterized as a patron state fearing entrapment and a client state fearing abandonment. We argue that a patron’s support for allied nuclearization is determined by the costs of extended deterrence and the client’s independent nuclear capabilities. We predict that a patron favors gradually withdrawing extended deterrence if the costs are high and the client lacks an independent nuclear deterrent. Two survey experiments with South Carolina voters support this hypothesis. Study 1 found that higher extended deterrence costs increased support for South Korea’s nuclearization without affecting support for the US’ immediate withdrawal of extended deterrence, while Study 2 showed increased support when respondents were informed of direct US security threats.