ARTICLES

11 Aug 2021

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s Southeast Asia Tour: Assurances and Dividends

William Choong|Hoang Thi Ha|Le Hong Hiep|Ian Storey

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to three Southeast Asian countries in July 2021 was aimed at reaffirming America’s commitment to regional alliances and partnerships amid concerns of US neglect of the region in the first six months of the Biden administration.

11 Aug 2021

Don’t Miss the Turning Point of ASEAN’s Energy Plan

Ryan Wong

ASEAN’s Energy Plan is an empty fortress – dejected and under-delivered. But if done right, the region can turn a corner and do more to harness the power of renewables.

ASEAN Climate Change Energy

10 Aug 2021

US Challenges in Southeast Asia Under Biden

Robert Sutter

The Biden Administration has reinvigorated its approach towards Southeast Asia. This, however, will be limited by important US priorities and Southeast Asian reluctance to irk Beijing.

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

3 Aug 2021

Team Biden: A Southeast Asia Reset

Victor Ha

Compared to China, the Biden Administration has been slow off the blocks in the game of winning friends and influencing people in Southeast Asia. It has its work cut out for it.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations China-U.S. Relations Indo-Pacfic U.S.

26 Jul 2021

ASEAN and the Problem of Legitimacy

Sharon Seah

ASEAN needs to decide whether Myanmar’s State Administration Council has the legal capacity to engage in international relations that has direct impact on ASEAN’s own legal capacity as an inter-governmental organisation.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Myanmar

14 Jul 2021

ASEAN’s Covid-19 Recovery Measures: Missing Opportunities for a Green Future

Melinda Martinus|Sharon Seah

As of 28 May 2021, ASEAN countries had authorised a total of US$ 730 billion, equivalent to 7.8% of ASEAN’s total GDP, in stimulus dollars. But few ASEAN countries have prioritised green components to their Covid-19 stimulus packages.

ASEAN Climate Change COVID-19 Energy Environment

workers fixing a floater onto a solar panel as part of the construction of a floating solar power farm on Tengeh reservoir in Singapore

30 Jun 2021

Trade and Environmental Disputes May Persist Despite Promising Leaders’ Summit on Climate

Melinda Martinus|Qiu Jiahui

At the recent Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change convened by the Biden Administration, several ASEAN leaders emphasised the principle of differentiating levels of economic development between states in their response to climate change. Finding a balance between this principle and ambitious climate targets remains a challenge.

ASEAN Asean Trade Climate Change E.U. Environment U.S.

28 Jun 2021

Give It Another Shot, Uncle Sam

Charles Dunst

As it pertains to Washington’s relations with Southeast Asia, the Biden Administration is not faring much better than its predecessor. A low-hanging fruit would be the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations COVID-19 Southeast Asia U.S. Vaccine Diplomacy

24 Jun 2021

Southeast Asia and Food Price Inflation: Double Whammy

Paul Teng

Across the world, climate change and Covid-19 disruptions have led to rising food prices in the past year. Southeast Asian countries, which have not been immune to such challenges, need to build resilience in their food security policies.

ASEAN Climate Change COVID-19 Southeast Asia