ARTICLES

17 May 2022

U.S.-ASEAN: Summitry Is Not a Strategy

Sharon Seah|William Choong

The United States hit all the right notes when it hosted ASEAN leaders in Washington last week. The fact remains, however, that Washington has an uphill climb if it wants to catch up with Beijing’s economic momentum in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations U.S. Foreign Policy

11 May 2022

US-ASEAN Summit: The Audacity of Trope

Joanne Lin

ASEAN leaders will finally meet US President Joseph Biden at the long-awaited US-ASEAN summit in Washington. Whether ASEAN and US can find convergence on regional issues, such as Washington’s desire to manage the rise of China, will be a pressing challenge.

6 May 2022

The Liberal Order’s Illiberal Turn: Implications for Southeast Asia

Lee Sue-Ann

The clash of online opinions surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reveals support for pro-Russia, pro-Putin narratives in Southeast Asia. Untangling why such rhetoric is attractive points to deep dissatisfaction with the existing liberal international order. Southeast Asia can play a part in helping the world avoid worse alternatives.

ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations International Relations Russia Ukraine

12 Apr 2022

Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Why Hard Power Matters

James Bosbotinis

Russia's invasion of Ukraine provides the context for Washington to strengthen its alliances and partnerships across the Asia-Pacific, including in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-Russia Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations Security Ukraine

24 Mar 2022

U.S.-China Rivalry in Regional Economic Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges for ASEAN

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

China’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the prospect of its accession to the CPTPP further increase China’s role in supporting the rules-based multilateral system to which the U.S. is making a steady but selective comeback.

Asean Trade ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China-U.S. Relations

4 Mar 2022

Advancing U.S. Security Commitments to Southeast Asia Under Biden

Prashanth Parameswaran

Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine would accentuate concerns about Washington's security commitments to Southeast Asia. To gain further traction, Washington needs to invest in individual Southeast Asia countries and expand defence partnerships with allies and partners.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations Defence Maritime Security Security South China Sea

25 Feb 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

Southeast Asia Holds Mixed Perceptions of the Biden Administration

Hoang Thi Ha

The State of Southeast Asia 2022 indicates that Southeast Asians have put more trust in the US under the Biden administration but that the level of trust is uneven among different countries.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations State of Southeast Asia Survey

18 Feb 2022

The Biden Administration and Southeast Asia: One Year in Review

Hoang Thi Ha|Ian Storey

The Biden administration’s engagement with Southeast Asia in 2021 gained momentum in the second half of the year after a slow start. In 2022, the US will be assessed on the value of its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a clearer articulation of its Indo-Pacific strategy and the extent to which it demonstrates genuine efforts to upgrade relations with ASEAN.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations U.S.

17 Feb 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

Hope Deferred Makes Southeast Asia’s Heart Sick

Sharon Seah

The US has gained brownie points among Southeast Asians, who put great store in Washington championing free trade and upholding the rules-based order. But Washington has its work cut out for it in deepening economic linkages to Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations Diplomacy International Trade Security State of Southeast Asia Survey

16 Feb 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey: Diverse Perspectives and Hard Realities

Terence Chong

The US has gained ground against China in the contest for regional influence in Southeast Asia, according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey. ASEAN continues to be seen as ineffective in the eyes of respondents; at the same time, they are willing to give it credit when it is due.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations Climate Change COVID-19 State of Southeast Asia Survey