Written by Wongi Choe
In contrast to the previous Moon Jae-in administration of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the new Yoon Suk-yeol government is highly likely to take on a new broader regional strategy with a comprehensive Indo-Pacific framework at its core.
Read MoreWritten by Zachary Abuza
Thailand’s submarine deal with China has been put on hold, not due to the public backlash, parliamentary scrutiny, or a lack of strategic rationale; the Gulf of Siam is too shallow for submarines to operate effectively. But since the military coup of 2014, the Thai military usually gets its way regardless of strategic rationale.
Read MoreWritten by Ayesha Siddiqa
Indeed, in his political career spanning about two decades, he never learned the art of adjustment, honouring commitments, or following principles. He remained a good agitator, a master in building a popular narrative and catching people’s imagination, but without the capacity to deliver.
Read MoreWe recently sat down with Dr Julia Gurol to discuss her latest book ‘The EU-China Security Paradox’. A fascinating read, this book investigates the complex security relations between the EU and China — one of the world’s most important, yet complicated, security relationships.
Read MoreWritten by Anny Boc
China’s public support in February for Russia’s position on opposing further NATO expansion reflects its own long harboured concern about US’ intent to establish an Asian version of NATO.
Read MoreWritten by Bec Strating
Both the 2022 Cope North exercise and the Tonga example highlight concerns that hard and soft security are not so easily distinguishable.
Read MoreWritten by Ramon Pacheco Pardo
As for Yoon’s approach toward the Indo-Pacific, we can expect Yoon to seek to boost security cooperation with the US — above all — Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe to contain China’s behaviour in the region.
Read MoreWritten by David Hutt
There is a deep sense of unease about America's actual place in world affairs. It is therefore worth considering whether American power, at home and abroad, appears weak or is weak.
Read MoreIn a nutshell, some commentaries suggested that while Biden would change the tone, he might not change the substance that much. I think this is largely what we have seen so far.
Read MoreAlthough Indonesia, which accounts for half of ASEAN’s size and wealth, is the natural leader of the grouping when it does not actively lead, the group is further weakened.
Read MoreThe Biden administration’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan and the handling of the AUKUS announcement has strained relations with European allies and served as a stark reminder that the United States will always privilege its interests over those of its friends and partners.
Read MoreWritten by Joshua Brannon
Whether through presidential waiver or the more comprehensive assurances afforded under Senator Cruz’s proposed CRUCIAL Act, India must be exempted from CAATSA sanctions if the Quad is to become an effective military counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific.
Read MoreWritten by Jacob Stokes
Biden’s prioritisation of allies and close partners could leave the rest of the region’s states unsure about their role and those of the region’s legacy multilateral institutions, such as ASEAN and the East Asia Summit.
Read MoreWritten by Florentine Koppenborg
There is a striking disconnect between Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets on the one hand and the energy strategy adopted to achieve them. An important step would be to reduce Japan’s reliance on coal, the single biggest cause of climate change.
Read MoreWritten by Michael Kugelman
For the United States, giving Kabul access to aid — including nearly USD $10 billion in foreign reserves frozen by Washington — is hard to justify without recognising the regime.
Read MoreWritten by Susannah Patton
The President’s positive statement at least opens the door for US allies and partners to put forward their views on US regional economic engagement. The United States’ offer to host APEC in 2023 should give high-level impetus for the development of this economic framework.
Read MoreWritten by Richard Johnson
As Biden preaches his commitment to being “ethical, straight, telling the truth, supporting our allies, all those good things”, observers might wish to jot in the corner “France, Afghanistan, tariffs”. The list will likely grow.
Read MoreWritten by Artyom Lukin
In a nutshell, Russia could become a giant military contractor — a twenty-first-century condottiero state, and a nuclear-armed one at that. A broke but still militarily strong and audacious country that does the bidding of a rich superpower — for remuneration.
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