Skip to page content

Southeast Asia

Featured

Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia form the bulk of Southeast Asia, a region that has experienced significant economic development in recent decades but also faces ethnonationalism and security concerns. RAND has investigated these issues as well as the region's relations with the United States, the former Soviet bloc countries, China, and Japan.

Commentary
With ASEAN Paralyzed, Southeast Asia Seeks New Security Ties
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations tirelessly proclaims its centrality to the region, but its inability to develop a coherent response to Chinese aggression or the crisis in Myanmar has effectively killed that claim. ASEAN members will inevitably continue to seek out alternative paths.
Sep 18, 2023
Report
How Would U.S. Allies View Changes in Washington's Relationship with Taiwan?
The debate in Washington over Taiwan often overlooks a crucial question: How would America's regional allies respond to possible changes in U.S. policy toward the island? Researchers explored the perspectives of Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Jul 20, 2023

Explore Southeast Asia

Blog
Journalism, U.S.–Iranian Tensions, School Reform: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on how the news has changed in the digital age, rising U.S.–Iranian tensions, how educators feel about school improvement plans, and more.
May 17, 2019
News Release
Some Asian Nations Reforming Drug Policies; China Unlikely to Curb Fentanyl Exports in Short Term
Strict policies traditionally embraced by Asian nations to discourage illicit drug use are beginning to change, with a few nations adopting alternative approaches while other nations are taking an even harder line against drugs.
May 15, 2019
Commentary
Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight
China's last major war experience gave it virtually zero lessons to apply to future armed conflict. At some point the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will need to test its new capabilities and the training it has honed over time. There are at least three reasons why Vietnam is likely in the PLA's crosshairs.
May 15, 2019
Report
Contemporary Asian Drug Policy
An analysis of drug use, drug supply, and the burden of disease associated with illegal drugs in Asia can inform policies aiming to reduce substance use disorders and drug trafficking. Three case studies show how drug policy is shifting in the Philippines, Thailand, and China.
May 14, 2019
Commentary
What Jokowi’s Reelection Means for Indonesia
On April 17, Indonesia conducted the largest single-day vote in any nation's history. President Joko Widodo has likely netted a second term. What does that mean for his nation and its place in the world?
Apr 25, 2019
Commentary
Time to Speak Up About the South China Sea
Some leaders in Southeast Asia may fear that new or enhanced postures in the South China Sea could antagonize China. But directly calling out China's breaks from the status quo or intimidation tactics may not necessarily put these countries at risk of Chinese countermeasures.
Mar 20, 2019
Commentary
Vietnam's Defense Policy of 'No' Quietly Saves Room for 'Yes'
U.S.-China tensions are rising in the South China Sea. Washington should take solace in the fact that Vietnam's “Three Nos” policy actually offers significant breathing room for defense cooperation.
Jan 21, 2019
Commentary
Does Nuon Chea Still Have No Regrets?
Nuon Chea was convicted of genocide in a tribunal in Phnom Penh in November for his role in the Cambodian genocide. Shelly Culbertson relays the story of her trip to interview him at his home in Pailin in 2003.
Dec 19, 2018
Commentary
The Quad Needs Broadening to Balance China—and Now's the Time to Do It
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.
Oct 22, 2018
Report
China's Engagement with the Developing World
Engaging with developing countries offers China economic growth and global influence. What are the consequences of Beijing's strategy toward the developing world for the United States?
Oct 16, 2018
Journal Article
Assessing Recent Developments in Indonesian Maritime Security
Despite a daunting set of maritime challenges, Indonesia has placed renewed emphasis on maritime security governance.
Oct 16, 2018
Commentary
Assessing Recent Developments in Indonesian Maritime Security
Despite a daunting set of maritime challenges, Indonesia has placed renewed emphasis on maritime security governance. While the programs in place may take decades to bear fruit, Indonesia is on the path to securing the waterways and infrastructure so key to its overall economic development.
Oct 12, 2018
Commentary
Deciphering Vietnam's Evolving Military Doctrine in the South China Sea
Vietnam has sought to balance China's expanding presence in the South China Sea through diplomacy and military modernization. The Vietnam People's Army has acquired many useful weapons, but unfamiliarity with combat in the sea and air will test its evolving military doctrine.
May 11, 2018
Report
U.S. Policy in Asia Under the Trump Administration
A conference on U.S. policy in Asia explored the arenas of U.S.-Asia engagement, developed an understanding of the outcomes of past interaction, and made the case for the terms of future engagement. Topics included climate change, trade and investment, national security, human rights, and macroeconomic issues.
Apr 18, 2018
Report
A Preliminary Assessment of Indonesia's Maritime Security Threats and Capabilities
This study identifies the threats and priority areas for Indonesia in the maritime security domain as a first step in an overall assessment of capability requirements and gaps.
Apr 18, 2018
Commentary
Vietnam's Remarkable Month of Balancing Against China in the South China Sea
Vietnam has engaged in a string of activities to strengthen deterrence against China in the South China Sea. But Hanoi's push to deepen external defense ties with states that can help its cause won't necessarily translate into greater risk-taking in the region.
Mar 26, 2018
Content
The RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy
The RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy improves policy by providing decisionmakers and the public with rigorous, objective, cutting-edge research on critical policy challenges facing Asia and U.S.-Asia relations.
Mar 14, 2018
Journal Article
Can Vietnam's Military Stand Up to China in the South China Sea?
This article examines Vietnam's warfighting capabilities for defending its disputed claims with China in the South China Sea.
Feb 22, 2018
Commentary
Where Will ISIS Seek to Establish Its Next Safe Haven?
Many of ISIS's surviving fighters will seek out new battlefields to continue waging jihad. By coordinating with its allies around the globe, the U.S. could work to help alleviate the conditions that lead states to fail, making them less appealing as sanctuaries where terrorists can rest, rearm, and recuperate.
Feb 19, 2018
Commentary
Expanding the ISIS Brand
Since its founding, the Islamic State has consistently expanded and contracted in order to achieve its objectives. To discern how ISIS might continue to expand, it makes sense to trace Al Qaeda's trajectory, which followed a similar pattern in the 2000s.
Feb 19, 2018

Previous
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Next

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Derek Grossman

Senior Defense Analyst

Derek Grossman is a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation focused on a range of national security policy and Indo-Pacific security issues. He closely tracks intensifying U.S.-China competition throughout the region, including Northeast, Southeast, South, and Central Asia as well as…
Lydia Grek

Policy Analyst

Lydia Grek (she/her) is a policy analyst in the RAND Corporation's Washington D.C. office. Her research interests include Chinese foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, cross-Strait relations, deterrence and posturing in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition in the space domain.…

Explore Our People »