COMMENTARIES

22 Feb 2021

The USA and UNCLOS: Time to Ratify

Aristyo Rizka Darmawan

Actions speak louder than words. Ratifying UNCLOS would strengthen the US’ stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific.

19 Feb 2021

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

Japan and Southeast Asia – Power and Propinquity

William Choong

The latest State of Southeast Asia Survey is a ringing endorsement of Japan’s decades-long involvement and investment in the region.

ASEAN Indo-Pacfic Japan Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey

22 Dec 2020

The “Indo-Pacific” is Here to Stay

Daljit Singh

While the aspirational adjectives that prefix it may change, the Indo-Pacific will better reflect the strategic geography of the new era of great power contestation.

ASEAN Indo-Pacfic Security

Adm. Phil Davidson and Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha

14 Dec 2020

US Indo-Pacific Command: Standing with Allies and Partners Amid the Pandemic

Philip S. Davidson

In this special contribution to Fulcrum, Admiral Philip Davidson, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, stresses that the US’ largest geographic combatant command will continue to work with allies and partners across the region, particularly those in Southeast Asia. He argues that there is a growing “strategic convergence” between the US and the region.

Indo-Pacfic Southeast Asia U.S.

USS Montgomery arrives at Changi Naval Base, Singapore

8 Dec 2020

America’s Proposed Reactivation of the 1st Fleet Raises Eyebrows and Questions

Ian Storey

A reactivated First Fleet would boost the US naval presence in Asia, and demands on America’s allies and security partners in Asia.

Indo-Pacfic U.S. U.S. Pacific Fleet

Joe Biden (R) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in

26 Nov 2020

South Korea and America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Yes, But Not Quite

Jiye Kim|Thomas Wilkins

Like many ASEAN member states, South Korea has sought to avoid “choosing sides” between China and the United States. It has adopted an uneasy equidistance between the two great powers and their respective Indo-Pacific Strategy and Belt and Road Initiative power plays.

China Indo-Pacfic South Korea U.S.

9 Oct 2020

Revenge of the Asia-Pacific?

Malcolm Cook

The much-ballyhooed “Indo-Pacific” term has gained much traction in the region in recent years. The new Democratic Party platform, however, pointedly excludes the use of the term, and touts the older “Asia-Pacific” instead. Is this Biden’s attempt at getting at Trump?

Indo-Pacfic U.S.

3 Jul 2020

Smaller Countries in the Asia-Pacific: Mired in the Middling Middle

William Choong

Rising Sino-US rivalry and a rapidly changing geopolitical environment means that smaller states in the Asia-Pacific are increasingly compelled to “choose sides” between the two major powers. They are, however, not short of options.

Asia Pacific China-U.S. Relations Indo-Pacfic

28 Jun 2019

Revised Title ‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’ Hints at Ambivalence

Hoang Thi Ha|Glenn Ong

A shift in semantics in ASEAN's official response to new and emerging Indo-Pacific concepts shows that the grouping has yet to fully internalise the region as part of its strategic culture.

ASEAN Indo-Pacfic