ARTICLES

3 Nov 2020

China-US Competition: Southeast Asia Can Decide What’s Best

Lye Liang Fook

Southeast Asian countries prefer a healthy balance of power between major powers in the region. This is often overlooked by China and the United States, which want them to take a stand on issues of concern.

China-U.S. Relations Southeast Asia

30 Oct 2020

South Korea‘s Southeast Asian Potential

Victor Teo

South Korea is well-positioned to become a more important power for Southeast Asia and ASEAN.

South Korea Southeast Asia

13 Oct 2020

Biden or Trump? Southeast Asia’s Stakes in the US Election

Daljit Singh

A check list of the differences Southeast Asia can expect if Joe Biden wins the US presidential election or Donald Trump is returned to the White House.

Southeast Asia U.S.

12 Oct 2020

Japan and Southeast Asia: Kindred Spirits in the era of Trump

Victor Teo

Richard Armitage, a veteran Republican official, has called for an Indo-Pacific that is inclusionary and not directed at any country. His view is markedly different from that of many Trump officials, and is similar to that of Japan and many countries in Southeast Asia.

Japan Southeast Asia

5 Oct 2020

Biden “Re-pivot” to Asia Cannot Be Obama 2.0

Charles Dunst

If elected the president of the United States, Joe Biden will not necessarily gain traction in Southeast Asia by simply not being Trump. He will have to bring tangible economic and political options to the table, and harness the intrinsic power of America’s network of allies and partners.

Southeast Asia U.S.

28 Sep 2020

Will China Establish Military Bases in Southeast Asia?

Ian Storey

The US Department of Defense has asserted that Beijing has “likely considered” logistics and basing infrastructure in five Southeast Asian countries. It is worth noting that such arrangements are predicated on a host nation’s inclination to support such a presence. At the moment, such willingness appears to be in short supply, except in the case of Cambodia.

China Southeast Asia

11 Sep 2020

Uncle Sam Will Have to Change His Tune After November for Buy-in From Southeast Asia

Hunter Marston

High stakes in the upcoming US presidential election for Southeast Asia and for American influence and goodwill in the region.

Southeast Asia U.S.

30 Jul 2020

Southeast Asia as a Sino-US Battleground: China’s Measured Response Amid American Attacks

Lye Liang Fook

With the acceleration in tensions between the United States and China globally, Southeast Asia has again been caught up in clash of the two titans. The recent trigger for this was the US Department of State statement in July 2020 on the US Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea where it dismissed China’s claims...

China-U.S. Relations South China Sea Southeast Asia

2 Jul 2020

Australia’s 2020 Defence Strategic Update: Red Alert, Down Under

Malcolm Cook

Australia’s recently-released defence update may be the most consequential document in terms of Canberra’s defence relations with Southeast Asia. Australia is asking its Southeast Asia partners to do more, while offering them more in return.

ASEAN Australia Southeast Asia

22 Jun 2020

Cash, Cards And Cigarettes: Is Covid-19 Helping or Hampering The Black Economy?

Michael Schaper

It is difficult, at this stage, to predict the impact of Covid-19 on the black economy in the region. Lockdowns and the near-total ban on air travel could well affect underground trade – but only if regulators up their street smarts.

ASEAN Black Economy Southeast Asia