ARTICLES

23 Dec 2021

Southeast Asian Militaries: The Need to Boost Strategic Autonomy

Evan A. Laksmana

In an era of great power competition, Southeast Asian countries can better defend their autonomy by examining their own strategic planning and operational requirements first. Only then can they better define their military engagement with Washington.

17 Dec 2021

Mind the Gaps, Fill the Needs: A Strategic Outlook for the Philippine-US Alliance

Julio S. Amador III

The Philippines begrudgingly notes the disparity of treatment across US alliances in Asia as well as Washington’s shift to enhancing engagements with non-treaty partners. The Philippines must step up to play its part and articulate its key interests better.

Maritime Security Philippine Politics Philippine-U.S. Relations Security South China Sea

30 Aug 2021

Resetting the Security Sector in Malaysia

Liew Chin Tong

Given the pressing domestic and external challenges that Malaysia is facing, it is high time for a refreshed National Security Council that will be able to coordinate policy at the highest level.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Security UMNO

28 Jul 2021

Why is Vietnam’s Military Modernisation Slowing?

Nguyen The Phuong

Security challenges presented by the South China Sea dispute led to Vietnam’s efforts to modernise its armed forces over the past two decades. However, after the fall of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2016, the procurement of major military assets has virtually ground to a halt.

Security South China Sea Vietnam Vietnamese Military

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

4 Jun 2020

Visiting Forces Agreement: Uncle Sam Still Welcome for Another Year

Ian Storey

The Philippines has suspended the planned termination of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. But the alliance is not out of the woods yet.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

10 Mar 2020

Duterte’s ‘Independent’ Foreign Policy: Independence from Criticism

Malcolm Cook

The Duterte administration has stressed the independent nature of its foreign policy. Apparently, this has been equated to freedom from foreign criticism.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

17 Feb 2020

Manila’s VFA Termination: A Win for China and Russia

Ian Storey

Manila’s decision to withdraw from the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States will benefit China and Russia. Russia’s attempt to cozy up to the Philippines, however, might not be wholly welcomed by Beijing.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

27 Nov 2019

Thailand’s New Security Plan Highlights Threats to the Throne

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Years of political turmoil and ingrained problems such as inequality, corruption and and inefficient administration have led to declining faith in the monarchy. This has widened political divisions in Thailand - an issue so serious that it has become the focus of Thailand's latest security plan.

Security Thailand