ARTICLES

22 Jul 2022

What’s Behind Vietnam’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’ Discourse?

Phan Xuan Dung|To Minh Son

Hanoi has been promoting the concept of ‘bamboo diplomacy’ to define its foreign policy of independence and refusal to take sides in international disputes.

4 Jul 2022

Has ASEAN Reached the Point of Diminishing Returns with Myanmar?

Sharon Seah|Moe Thuzar

The State Administration Council has cleverly gamed the ASEAN system for its own ends and dragged out the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. It is time for ASEAN to pack more punch into the office of the Special Envoy to Myanmar.

ASEAN Diplomacy International Relations Myanmar

16 Jun 2022

Having it Both Ways? Cambodia’s Superpower Balancing Act

Chanrith Ngin

The Cambodian People’s Party needs China, Cambodia’s top donor and investor, to sustain economic growth and reduce poverty to win the next election, which is vital to its legitimacy.

Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations International Relations

13 Jun 2022

Shangri-La Dialogue 2022: The Paradox of Peace and Power

Hoang Thi Ha

The duel between the ‘rule of law’ and the ‘right of might’ took centre-stage as the Shangri-La Dialogue resumed under the shadow of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Southeast Asian countries found it a hard sell to promote cooperative security and ASEAN’s broad-based mechanisms against tough talk by representatives of the major powers.

Defence Indo-Pacfic International Relations Security

8 Jun 2022

It Takes Two to Tango: Vietnam-US Relations in the New Context

Hong-Kong Nguyen|Pham-Muoi Nguyen

Vietnam’s delicate balancing act between major powers suggests that it is unlikely to advance a relationship with one power at the expense of another. Instead, it will try to maintain an independent position and promote ties with all powers, where possible.

International Relations U.S. Foreign Policy U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

25 May 2022

Vietnam and Russia’s Political Alignment: More than Meets the Eye

Hoang Thi Ha|Darren Cheong

A lot of ink has been spilled to explain Vietnam’s reticence to take a stronger position against Russia’s war in Ukraine. One facet of the Russo-Vietnam relationship that has not been discussed as much is the two countries’ political alignment on issues such as human rights and democracy in the global arena.

International Relations Russia Vietnam Vietnam-Russia relations

25 May 2022

The War in Ukraine: Cambodia’s Surprisingly Hard-line Stand

Ian Storey

Cambodia’s hearty relations with Russia means that it should have taken a less strident view of the latter’s invasion of Ukraine. Intriguingly, Phnom Penh’s position has tacked closer to Western critics of the Kremlin.

Cambodia Cambodia-Russia relations International Relations Russia

23 May 2022

Kishida’s Charm Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: Moral Suasion Does the Trick

Lim Tai Wei|William Choong

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visits to Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand have burnished Japan’s regional credentials, particularly on contentious issues such as the war in Ukraine, the South China Sea disputes and the evolving order in the Indo-Pacific.

Indo-Pacific International Relations Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations South China Sea

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.

ASEAN ASEAN-U.S. Relations International Relations

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