ARTICLES

5 Oct 2021

Twenty Years On: Reflections on The Aftermath of 9/11 and The New Era of Geo-Politics

Daljit Singh

Twenty years after the historic 9/11 attacks on the United States, the threat of terrorism has largely been contained and a new era of great power competition has returned. States in Southeast Asia need to have a deep appreciation of what drives China and the US in order to maintain agency amid geopolitical flux.

4 Oct 2021

The Quad and the Indo-Pacific: Going Slow to Go Further

William Choong

In recent years, the Quad has gained momentum in response to growing Chinese assertiveness. But a lower key strategy is advised to allay regional concerns that ASEAN’s centrality will be undermined by a minilateral arrangement helmed by external powers.

ASEAN Australia India Indo-Pacfic Japan Quad U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

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.

Philippine-U.S. Relations South China Sea U.S. Foreign Policy

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