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Security Southeast Asia

Hollow Diplomacy: Backlash at ASEAN’s Response to the Myanmar Crisis

As violence between anti-coup protesters and the Tatmadaw regime in Myanmar worsens, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member, remains uniquely situated to navigate towards a return to democracy. Their policy of ‘non-interference’, however, restricts the extent to which they can engage the crisis directly. The international attention and responsibility that ASEAN has accrued, with backing from international organisations and countries like the US, poses a risk to their credibility. If they cannot overcome their diplomatic limitations, ASEAN risks appearing ill-equipped to maintain regional peace and security.

Asia Pacific Economics

A Big Deal: Signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

On November 15th 2020, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was signed. An ASEAN-led initiative, the agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony in Vietnam. The bloc takes sole position as the world’s largest trading bloc, representing roughly 30% of global GDP.
The signing of this imminent and long-awaited free trade agreement is between 15 nations: the 10 ASEAN members in addition to China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
The timing of this pan-Asian trading agreeement’s signing is symbolic – amid a global pandemic that has shaken the global economy and caused free trade and globalisation to be questioned; however, it’s significance goes far beyond symbolism.
While this agreement appears to support ASEAN’s incrementalist approach, the pact will do little to halt China’s creeping dominance over the surrounding region, nor influence America’s position of distancing itself from China, or indeed influence any agreement in which China plays a part.

Asia Pacific Politics

Japan – Taking Initiative in the Asia-Pacific Region

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga embarked on his first diplomatic visits last month, meeting the Vietnamese and Indonesian governments. Suga’s choice of Vietnam and Indonesia, both important members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), demonstrates his aim to continue the policy formulated under his predecessor Shinzo Abe for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Alongside this, there are indications that Japan will step up the involvement of its defence industry both for the country’s own security and that of the wider Asia-Pacific region. With an ineffective US Asia policy and a gutted US State Department, the moment is right for Japan to take the initiative towards peace and prosperity in the region.

Asia Pacific Environment

Southeast Asia’s Transboundary Haze: Obstacles to a Regional Solution

The so-called ‘ASEAN Way’ can be an obstacle to effectively addressing regional transboundary issues, and the transboundary haze problem is no exception.

Security Under The Radar

Prospects for EU-ASEAN Security Ties

Ambiguity persists over how ASEAN-EU security relations in Indo-Pacific may evolve given the announcement of ‘strategic partnership’ between the two blocs.

India Insights

India and Regional Trade in the Indo-Pacific

There are growing concerns over whether India will accept zero tariffs on the majority of imported goods from China. RCEP negotiations illuminate the crossover between politics and economics in the Indo-Pacific.

China Special Reports

China’s international partnerships: Beyond One Belt, One Road 

China is redrawing the global security map beyond Asia-Pacific. This article, the first in a four-part series, examines the background of China’s geopolitical restructuring efforts and how they have unfolded within the context of relations with a critical security partner, Bangladesh. 

Asia Pacific International

India looks east, but is it ready to act?

India can still present itself as a credible counterweight to China, but not without embracing international norms of accountability.

Asia Pacific International Natural resources and energy Security

Catch-22 in the South China Sea: why preserving fish stocks is key to a resolution

ASEAN disunity means no end in sight for China’s island-building in the South China Sea. Yet those islands will destroy the coral reefs they are built on, and the very fish stocks China wants to control in the first place.

Asia Pacific Security

ASEAN’s anti-terror coordination problem

On September 19 and 20, the ten ASEAN member countries gathered for two Ministerial Meetings to further define and strengthen the bloc’s position on counter-terrorism.