ARTICLES

22 Dec 2022

When the Rule-Maker Breaks the Rules

Zack Cooper

The United States often stresses the need to uphold the rules-based international order. With its recent economic actions, however, the advocate of the rules may be guilty of undermining them.

18 Nov 2022

A Xi-Biden Handshake Does Not Bridge the Sino-U.S. Schism, But Is a Start

Hoang Thi Ha|William Choong

The handshakes and smiles in Bali have triggered some optimism about Sino-U.S. relations going forward. Yet the slight uptick in Sino-U.S. relations post-Bali might well be short-lived, given the superpowers’ underlying structural competition and deep mutual distrust.

China-U.S. Relations G20

28 Oct 2022

The Fundamental Tension in Biden’s National Security Strategy

Zack Cooper

Washington’s new National Security Strategy has been carefully crafted, but the document hosts a number of inherent tensions. Foremost among them is the fact that putting democracy at the center of a strategy that is increasingly Asia-focused is ill-advised.

China-U.S. Relations Security U.S. Foreign Policy

12 Aug 2022

When Lack of Jaw Jaw Might Lead to War War

William Choong

Washington and Beijing’s refusal to talk calmly to each other about the ongoing Taiwan crisis raises the stakes for Southeast Asia, which is already dealing with the repercussions of the chill between the great powers.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China-U.S. Relations

8 Aug 2022

55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Much Ado About Everything (or Nothing)?

Sharon Seah|Joanne Lin|Melinda Martinus

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings last week occurred at a time when the region was seeing ructions, be it in the Taiwan Strait, Myanmar or the war in Ukraine. ASEAN can boast that it has retained its convening power, but this in itself might be insufficient.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting China-U.S. Relations Diplomacy Myanmar Ukraine

5 Aug 2022

Pelosi Visit to Taiwan: Lasting Impact on Southeast Asia

David Arase

Following Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China has sought to bully the island with a series of import bans and a de facto blockade. Southeast Asian countries should take this to heart.

China-U.S. Relations South China Sea Taiwan U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

15 Jul 2022

China’s Global Security Initiative Stoking Regional Tensions

David Arase

China has doubled down on its alignment with Russia against the West. This has led to a proliferation of minilaterals and security partnerships aligned with the United States.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations Indo-Pacific

8 Jul 2022

Climate Change Calls for Less U.S.-China Rivalry and More Renewables

Prapimphan Chiengkul

As climate change threatens to reshape global politics and domestic agendas, Southeast Asian governments would do well to court both Washington and Beijing in their quest for a green transition.

China China-U.S. Relations Climate Change Environment Sustainable Development U.S.

10 Jun 2022

The Need for Power Balance Amidst Rising Great Power Contestations

Daljit Singh

ASEAN and its constituent states must not neglect the crucial importance of maintaining a balance of influence and power between the great powers to secure space for their own independence.

ASEAN AUKUS China-U.S. Relations Quad Security

3 Jun 2022

‘Doomed to Fail’: Chinese Media Dismisses the U.S.’s ASEAN Diplomacy

Wang Zheng

Chinese state media have negatively portrayed Washington’s recent moves to court ASEAN diplomatically and economically, but the one-sided narrative that Beijing trots out belies the region’s careful reception of both great powers amidst their growing rivalry.

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