ARTICLES

22 Jun 2022

China’s Pragmatic Party Diplomacy in Southeast Asia

Wang Zheng

The Chinese Communist Party’s outreach to political parties in Southeast Asia, regardless of ideology, underscores the pragmatism in President Xi Jinping’s plan for regional influence.

14 Jun 2022

Southeast Asia Should Confront Threat of Economic Espionage

Gatra Priyandita

China is known for using cyber weapons to pursue geostrategic goals. In recent years, entities linked to the Chinese state have carried out alleged economic espionage of commercial firms in Southeast Asia.

Cyber Security Digitalisation Diplomacy

7 Jun 2022

Scaling the Shangri-La Dialogue

William Choong

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.

China Defence Dialogues at Fulcrum Diplomacy Indo-Pacfic U.S. Foreign Policy

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

20 May 2022

ASEAN’S Relevance for the New South Korean Administration

Joanne Lin

New South Korean President Yoon has a tough balancing act to pull off for his foreign policy, given his neophyte status on the international stage. ASEAN will be watching carefully to see if great power rivalry will derail ASEAN-ROK cooperation.

ASEAN Diplomacy South Korea

23 Feb 2022

“France’s Third Path” for the Indo-Pacific? Credentials and Challenges

Eric Frécon

Considering itself part of the Indo-Pacific on the grounds of history and overseas territories, France has released its Indo-Pacific strategy to guide its international action in this region.

Diplomacy E.U. Indo-Pacfic

18 Feb 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

China Should Build Trust Where it Matters

Joanne Lin

The majority of Southeast Asians continue to regard China as the most influential political, strategic and economic power in the region. But wariness of this state of affairs has not gone away.

ASEAN-China Relations China Diplomacy State of Southeast Asia Survey

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

28 Jan 2022

Indonesia-Singapore Defence Cooperation Agreement: A Win Win

Aristyo Rizka Darmawan

The recent signing of three treaties — a Flight Information Region agreement, a Defence Cooperation Agreement and an extradition treaty — augurs well for relations between Indonesia and Singapore. It is also a boost to regional security.

Defence Diplomacy Indonesia Indonesia-Singapore Relations Singapore

17 Jan 2022

Thailand and the Crisis in Myanmar: Playing a Peacemaker Role

Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee

The crisis in Myanmar is a delicate one for Thailand, given the military junta’s proclivity to drawing parallels between the two ASEAN countries. To help manage the crisis, Bangkok can play the role of a peacemaker to engage all parties concerned in Myanmar.

ASEAN Diplomacy Myanmar Thailand