ARTICLES

28 Aug 2023

Why Hanoi May Agree to a Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Le Hong Hiep

If Hanoi agrees to a comprehensive strategic partnership with the U.S., it would represent a remarkable breakthrough in bilateral ties. Still, such a partnership would not represent a significant shift in Hanoi’s foreign policy.

25 Aug 2023

Biden Skips Jakarta: When (Not) Showing Up Speaks Volumes

William Choong|Sharon Seah

President Biden skipping the East Asia Summit in Jakarta bodes ill for both the optics of the decision and the implications on U.S. engagement in ASEAN, especially as China continues to expand influence and cultivate relations in the region.

ASEAN Diplomacy Indonesia U.S.

23 Aug 2023

Enhancing U.S. Influence In Southeast Asia: Proof is in The Pudding

Daljit Singh

A joint report calling for Washington to adopt a more nuanced approach to Southeast Asia is sensible. The challenge, however, lies in the implementation of its recommendations.

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

1 Jun 2023

The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20

James Crabtree

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations.

China Defence Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia U.S.

21 Mar 2023

Policymakers' View

Partnering with ASEAN to Promote Peace in Myanmar

Derek Chollet

The United States stands ready to work with ASEAN and other partners in the region to bring about the return of stability and prosperity in Myanmar.

ASEAN Myanmar Policymakers’ View U.S.

22 Feb 2023

Southeast Asians Mull Over a Taiwan Conflict: Big Concerns But Limited Choices

William Choong|Hoang Thi Ha

In the event of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asian countries will face a difficult dilemma. Their latitude for manoeuvre will be limited, particularly as the Philippines, a key ASEAN member and a U.S. treaty ally, prepares to provide base access to the United States in such a contingency.

China Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey Taiwan U.S.

13 Feb 2023

Washington and Southeast Asia in 2023: How Devolving Power to Line Agencies Might Make a Difference

Zack Cooper

Although much attention has focused on the shift in power from Democrats to Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, the empowering of line departments and agencies to take more responsibility for Asia policy could be just as important. And it could prove to be a good thing for the region.

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

China's President Xi Jinping, Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi, U.S. President Joe Biden.

9 Feb 2023

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

State of Southeast Asia Survey 2023: It Takes Three to Tango

Sharon Seah

If ASEAN can’t tango with China or the U.S., who else? Pragmatic as always, ASEAN’s favourite choices for hedging partners remain the EU and Japan but attention appears to have also fallen on India as its third choice this year.

ASEAN China State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S.

20 Jan 2023

Avoiding Divots in the U.S. Pivot to Asia

William Choong

While the Americans have made noticeable progress in their “pivot” to Asia, the crux of successful regional engagement rests on Washington’s ability to work with and around China’s indisputable links and influence in this part of the world, while managing its own relationship with Beijing.

Indo-Pacfic U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

22 Dec 2022

When the Rule-Maker Breaks the Rules

Zack Cooper

The United States often stresses the need to uphold the rules-based international order. With its recent economic actions, however, the advocate of the rules may be guilty of undermining them.

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