ARTICLES

23 Sep 2021

After 70 Years, It’s Time to Modernise the US-Philippines Alliance

Ian Storey

The US-Philippines alliance is back on track. In an era where China has increasingly challenged Manila’s maritime rights in the South China Sea, however, Washington needs to contemplate an upgrade to their mutual defence treaty.

3 Sep 2021

In Vietnam, the Afghanistan Spectre Fails to Haunt a Pro-America Audience Online

Dien Nguyen An Luong

Many observers have drawn parallels between the U.S.’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and memories of the “Fall of Saigon”. But Vietnamese reactions to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent visit there shows continued favourable sentiments towards the U.S.

China Social Media U.S. Foreign Policy U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

1 Sep 2021

Retno Goes to Washington: Indonesia Sticks to ‘Free and Active’ Foreign Policy

Leo Suryadinata|William Choong

Washington has played up its growing relationship with Jakarta. For the latter, it is all about what Jakarta can get from the closer ties, and balancing its position within the Sino-US relationship.

China-Indonesia Relations Indonesia U.S. Foreign Policy

27 Aug 2021

Biden After Afghanistan: Hitting the Buffers in Southeast Asia

Robert Sutter

The Biden Administration has sought to re-engage with Southeast Asia, but there are limits to how much traction it can get in the region.

ASEAN Indo-Pacfic U.S. Foreign Policy

17 Aug 2021

Biden’s Foreign Policy to Southeast Asia: More Pragmatism than Ideology

Hoang Thi Ha

The Biden Administration has gone big guns on promoting its values-based democracy agenda in the Indo-Pacific. It is time for a rethink.

ASEAN Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

10 Aug 2021

US Challenges in Southeast Asia Under Biden

Robert Sutter

The Biden Administration has reinvigorated its approach towards Southeast Asia. This, however, will be limited by important US priorities and Southeast Asian reluctance to irk Beijing.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations Quad U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

27 Jul 2021

Congress and America’s Negative Turn Against China: Strategic Ballast

Robert Sutter

In recent years, the US Congress has played a major role in America’s unprecedented turn against China.

China-U.S. Relations U.S. Foreign Policy

27 Jul 2021

The United States’ “Mini” Shangri-La Dialogue: Stand and Deliver

William Choong

When Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, speaks at the 40th Fullerton Lecture in Singapore tonight, he will need to go beyond speaking about esoteric concepts such as the “rules-based international order” and promise that Washington will provide tangible deliverables in the form of pandemic assistance, economic growth and trade.

China-U.S. Relations Quad Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S. Foreign Policy

9 Jul 2021

Biden’s ‘China Challenge’ and Domestic Politics: Implications for Southeast Asia

Shaun Narine

Under President Biden, Southeast Asia is dealing with a US administration that remains determined to compete with and confront China but is mired in political paralysis caused by deep ideological divisions. This will constrain the US’ ability to act as a reliable security and economic partner in the region.

China-U.S. Relations U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

7 Jul 2021

Why the New Indonesia-US Maritime Training Centre is Strategically Important

Aristyo Rizka Darmawan

A new maritime training centre established by Indonesia and the United States is emblematic of sustained bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain, and the ASEAN member state’s independent and active foreign policy.

Indo-Pacfic Indonesia South China Sea U.S. Foreign Policy