ARTICLES

US Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E Daniel J. Kritenbrink

23 Feb 2021

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

America’s Soft Power in Vietnam: From Statecraft to Street Rap

Hoang Thi Ha

A recent rap video dropped by the US envoy to Vietnam highlights the resilience of American soft power in Vietnam.

22 Feb 2021

The USA and UNCLOS: Time to Ratify

Aristyo Rizka Darmawan

Actions speak louder than words. Ratifying UNCLOS would strengthen the US’ stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific.

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

Artists perform on stage at the end of the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit

10 Feb 2021

State of Southeast Asia Survey: Hopes Brighten Over US Amid Covid-19 Gloom

Terence Chong

Covid-19 is the biggest challenge facing Southeast Asia even as regional confidence in the new Biden Administration grows, according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey published by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

ASEAN China Southeast Asia U.S.

9 Feb 2021

Southeast Asia and America: Biding for Biden

William Choong

Some Asian states have gushed over the new Biden Administration’s return to foreign policy normalcy. However, the last “normal” American administration had a mixed bag of outcomes in the region.

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

29 Jan 2021

The US Coast Guard and the Indo-Pacific: Straddling the Sweet Spot between Diplomacy and Lethality

Ian Storey

The United States has added the US Coast Guard to its South China Sea toolbox. This bodes well for regional security and the maritime rules-based order.

China-U.S. Relations South China Sea U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy U.S. Pacific Fleet

An illegal money changer exchanges Myanmar kyat bank notes into US dollars

13 Jan 2021

The Curious Case of the Benjamin Franklins in Myanmar: A Deeper Understanding of the Meaning of Money?

Sean Turnell

The desire for clean and unmarked US dollar bills in Myanmar provides some food for thought as to the function of money.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy U.S.

Adm. Phil Davidson and Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha

14 Dec 2020

Policymakers' View

US Indo-Pacific Command: Standing with Allies and Partners Amid the Pandemic

Philip S. Davidson

In this special contribution to Fulcrum, Admiral Philip Davidson, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, stresses that the US’ largest geographic combatant command will continue to work with allies and partners across the region, particularly those in Southeast Asia. He argues that there is a growing “strategic convergence” between the US and the region.

Indo-Pacfic Policymakers’ View Southeast Asia U.S.

USS Montgomery arrives at Changi Naval Base, Singapore

8 Dec 2020

America’s Proposed Reactivation of the 1st Fleet Raises Eyebrows and Questions

Ian Storey

A reactivated First Fleet would boost the US naval presence in Asia, and demands on America’s allies and security partners in Asia.

Indo-Pacfic U.S. U.S. Pacific Fleet

South Korean protestors hold up "Yankee go home" placards

2 Dec 2020

Yankee Come Back – But We Will Cope, With or Without You

William Choong

America is in a weaker position in Southeast Asia now than four years ago and regional states are adjusting to this reality.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations Southeast Asia U.S.

Joe Biden (R) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in

26 Nov 2020

South Korea and America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Yes, But Not Quite

Jiye Kim|Thomas Wilkins

Like many ASEAN member states, South Korea has sought to avoid “choosing sides” between China and the United States. It has adopted an uneasy equidistance between the two great powers and their respective Indo-Pacific Strategy and Belt and Road Initiative power plays.

China Indo-Pacfic South Korea U.S.