Indo-Pacific

The Quad: Asia’s Own NATO?

The Quad, a loose strategic coalition of the Following a recent meeting of their top foreign-policy officials in Tokyo, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States (US) are now actively working toward establishing a new multilateral security structure for the region. The idea is not to create an Asian version of NATO, but rather to develop a close security partnership founded on shared values and interests, including the rule of law, freedom of navigation, respect for territorial

19 October 2020
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China Alone

In his most recent New Year’s speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that 2020 would be “a milestone.” Xi was right, but not in the way he expected. Far from having “friends in every corner of the world,” as he boasted in his speech, China has severely damaged its international reputation, alienated its partners, and left itself with only one real lever of power: brute force. Whether the prospect of isolation thwarts Xi’s imperialist ambitions, however, remains to be seen.

24 August 2020
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US & SEA to hold first ever joint maritime drill

The United States (US) and 10 Southeast Asian states will hold their first-ever joint maritime exercises in September, aimed at preventing "wrongdoing" as Washington and Beijing jostle for influence in the region.Washington has traditionally been the dominant naval power in Southeast Asia and its re-engagement with the area comes as a deteriorating trade war with China threatens to engulf the global economy.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attended a regional summit earlier this mo

25 August 2019
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Is The Quad Still Relevant?

Southeast Asia has been a significant venue for strategic competition between the United States (US) and China for a long time.Given US President Donald Trump’s recent trend of policies towards the region, the US has seemed to adopt a more hands-off approach to the region.

5 December 2018
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A concert of Indo-Pacific democracies

On his week-long tour of Asia, United States (US) Vice President Mike Pence has been promoting a vision of a “free and open” Indo-Pacific region, characterised by unimpeded trade flows, freedom of navigation, and respect for the rule of law, national sovereignty, and existing frontiers. The question is whether this vision of an Indo-Pacific free of “authoritarianism and aggression” is achievable.One country that seems willing to contribute to realising this vision is Japan.

13 November 2018
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Pompeo tries to win Southeast Asia

Tensions between China and the United States (US) do not seem like easing anytime soon as US State Secretary Mike Pompeo wrapped up his recent tour of Southeast Asia. In this brief tour, Pompeo stopped by three countries – Malaysia to meet with its newly elected Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Singapore for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and Indonesia for a meeting with President Joko Widodo. Prior to his tour of Southeast Asia, Pompeo called for a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.

7 August 2018
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Pompeo calls for 'free and open' Indo-Pacific

United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region Monday, taking aim at China ahead of a trip to Southeast Asia to promote America's strategic vision for Asia.Pompeo will depart later this week on a trip to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to hammer home the Trump administration's commitment to the region, and also press for denuclearisation in North Korea.The trip comes at a time of tension with Beijing over its moves

2 August 2018
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Can ASEAN be counted on when it matters?

The concept of centrality has seen a resurgence in use during the past few days, featuring prominently in the speeches and comments made during the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD).

4 June 2018
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A New Order for the Indo-Pacific

Security dynamics are changing rapidly in the Indo-Pacific. The region is home not only to the world’s fastest-growing economies, but also to the fastest-increasing military expenditures and naval capabilities, the fiercest competition over natural resources, and the most dangerous strategic hot spots.

27 March 2018
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What does the Indo Pacific era hold in store for ASEAN?

The term Indo Pacific gained a lot of traction after the President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, used it repeatedly to highlight his country’s foreign policy posture in this region as opposed to the regularly used term, Asia Pacific.

23 March 2018
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India to boost ASEAN’s maritime security

With the growing influence of China over Southeast Asian waters, the Indian government has expressed a readiness to bolster maritime security in the region, particularly in ensuring peace prevails in the disputed areas of the South China Sea.

5 February 2018
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ASEAN Roundup: November 13 - November 19, 2017

Much ado about the 31st ASEAN SummitThe highlight for this week was the conclusion of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings which began last week.

19 November 2017
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