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Association of Southeast Asian Nations

International Diplomacy
commentary
Biden's Southeast Asia Policy Still Has Much to Prove
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Dec 17, 2021
Foreign Policy
As the Biden administration's first year comes to a close, how is the United States faring in Southeast Asia? Washington got a lot right, but it could do better to optimize competition against China and work on a more sensitive understanding of the delicate and at times precarious position Southeast Asian states are in.
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International Trade
commentary
RCEP Forms the World's Largest Trading Bloc. What Does This Mean for Global Trade?
Tobias Sytsma
Dec 9, 2020
The RAND Blog
In November, 15 nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free-trade agreement of economic and political significance eight years in the making. Why have some heralded RCEP as a landmark agreement?
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Reviewing Vietnam's 'Struggle' Options in the South China Sea
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 4, 2020
The Diplomat
Once again, Chinese assertiveness against Vietnam in the South China Sea is on the rise. Vietnam has publicly protested each Chinese move, but these statements have yet to alter Beijing's bad behavior. Among its many options, Hanoi could look to Washington for further assistance.
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Law of the Sea
commentary
The Quad Needs Broadening to Balance China—and Now's the Time to Do It
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Oct 22, 2018
Foreign Policy
Even in its resurrected form, the Quad could be in danger of failing to achieve its mission. The Quad might consider getting its house in order by extending dialogue partnerships to ASEAN maritime counterclaimant states.
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China
commentary
Taking Stock of the U.S. Rebalance and the Contest for Influence in Asia
Timothy R. Heath
Jan 19, 2017
World Politics Review
Since 2011, the U.S. has carried out measures designed to bolster its influence in Asia, a region that is projected to play a central role in driving global economic growth. Despite steady progress, with increased diplomatic outreach to China and its neighbors, doubts about the U.S. pivot to Asia have persisted.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
The Legacy Obama Leaves His Successor in Asia
Scott W. Harold
Oct 26, 2016
The National Interest
The U.S. pivot to the Indo-Pacific has improved U.S. popularity and influence, and positioned it for gains in regional economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation. The incoming administration would be wise to embrace these gains and build on them to preserve and further develop U.S. interests and influence in the region.
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Association of Southeast Asian Nations
commentary
The Importance of Sunnylands for U.S.-ASEAN Relations
Lyle J. Morris @LyleJMorris
Feb 24, 2016
The RAND Blog
The first ever Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held on U.S. soil took place earlier this month. Its success should be measured by the fact that the U.S. prioritized relations with the region enough to host its first summit. It should be regarded as the beginning of a new era in U.S.-ASEAN relations.
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China
commentary
China's Airfield Construction at Fiery Cross Reef in Context: Catch-Up or Coercion?
Michael S. Chase, Benjamin Purser
Aug 11, 2015
Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS
Even if China really sees itself as undertaking legitimate activities to protect its rightful interests, it is not surprising that its rival claimants, as well as the United States and other countries in the region, see Beijing's island building activities as efforts to improve China's abilities to bully its neighbors.
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Association of Southeast Asian Nations
commentary
China and America's Coming Battle for Southeast Asia
Peter Chalk
Mar 17, 2015
The National Interest
Although China and the U.S. are both in a position to influence the process of ASEAN integration, ultimately it will be up to the Association itself to cement internal cohesion, achieve centrality, and thereby remain a relevant player in the emerging Asian order.
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Association of Southeast Asian Nations
blog
China's ASEAN Outreach
Oct 4, 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for greater cooperation between his country and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during remarks delivered Oct. 3 before the Indonesian parliament. But Angel Rabasa, a RAND senior political scientist, says improved relations between China and its neighbors will depend more on action than on words.
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commentary
The Changing Face of Chinese Diplomacy
Evan S. Medeiros, Taylor Fravel
Nov 25, 2003
Asian Wall Street Journal
One of the most curious and underexamined aspects of the evolving North Korean nuclear crisis is the active and leading role played by China in the last nine months. Breaking with years of traditional Chinese passivity on global-security challenges, Beijing has helped to walk both Pyongyang and Washington back from the brink, surprising even China's critics.
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