Latest entries
MINDFULNESS DISCOURSE AND MEDITATION SESSION IN BUCHAREST
INTRODUCERE: Very recently, Sri Lanka opened for the first time an Embassy in Romania. Before this important political decision and a step forward to upgrade and consolidate the bilateral Sri Lanka-Romania relations
A China-led trilateral nexus as India’s new challenge
INTRODUCERE: The Beijing-led Trilaterals are aimed at challenging India’s long-term interests
The EU’s Indo-Pacific Projection Relies on France: But for How Long?
INTRODUCERE: In recent years, France has emerged as the European Union’s leading actor in the Indo-Pacific, leveraging its territorial presence in the region. However, rising pro-independence movements in its overseas territories
Signalling Policy Credibility: Indonesia and Thailand’s Pursuit of OECD Membership
INTRODUCERE: Indonesia and Thailand’s pursuit of OECD membership, amid considerable geopolitical and economic uncertainty, sends a clear message about the two countries’ commitment to adhering to stringent norms on transparency
GLIMPSES OF THE PHILIPPINES-ROMANIA RELATIONS
INTRODUCERE: On June 17, 2025, H.E. Mr. Noel Servigon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Romania organized the reception dedicated to the National Day of his great country.
Bridging ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council: Why People-to-People Connectivity Matters
INTRODUCERE: Cooperation between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council should be seen not only from the lens of trade investments, but also people-to-people connections.
Roundtable on the Future of Global Trade
INTRODUCERE: In June, ASEANFocus+ invited regional experts to share their insights on how the Trump 2.0 administration’s trade policies are reshaping trade
Possible Conflict in the Taiwan Strait: Southeast Asia Can Help US Maintain Focus
INTRODUCERE: Amid growing risks of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asian countries can spur thinking on the Taiwan question by prodding Washington to match its words with deeds.
MINDS CONFERENCE ON CHINA-ROMANIA TRADE RELATIONS
INTRODUCERE: The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Romania organized on June 18, 2025 at its office building an important event dedicated to the trade relations between China and Romania, namely the “Minds Conference on China-Romania Trade Relations”
ASEAN Faces a Tougher Balancing Act in US and China Trade Relations
INTRODUCERE: The first 100 days of the Trump 2.0 presidency has been a rocky ride. On the trade front, countries continue to navigate trade negotiations with the US in the current 90-day pause granted on the imposition of the reciprocal tariffs
Japan’s economic security strategy looks beyond the United States
INTRODUCERE: As Trump-induced global economic uncertainty and economic protectionism rock the established international order, Japan is redefining its economic security strategy by looking to like-minded countries beyond then Uited States.
The UN80 Reform Initiative: Why, How, and For Whom?
INTRODUCERE: The United Nations stands at a critical juncture as it approaches its 80th anniversary. A reform initiative, “UN80”, signals a bold ambition to address inefficiencies, mandate overlaps
ASEAN 2045: Setting Ambitious Goals Amid Uncertain Times
INTRODUCERE: The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 marks a significant evolution in ASEAN’s regional integration.
The Elusive Code: Why ASEAN Needs a New Playbook for the South China Sea
INTRODUCERE: The South China Sea (SCS) remains one of the most consequential flashpoints in Southeast Asia, posing a direct challenge to ASEAN’s credibility, unity and its role as a stabilising force
When The Tables Turn: The Global South in an Era of Instability
INTRODUCERE: Amidst the fissures in the Transatlantic partnership, heightened United States (US)-China rivalry, and global trade frictions, commentaries of doom and gloom abound.
Indonesia after Trump’s Tariffs: Diversifying Its Multilateral Partnerships
INTRODUCERE: In the aftermath of US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, Indonesia is negotiating in good faith with the United States to reach a resolution.
US-China Negotiations in London Signal a Tough Road Ahead for Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: Meetings in London between the US and China have just concluded, as both countries sought to address concerns over export controls and to permanently set aside temporarily paused tariffs.
ASEAN Vision 2045: What Does It Hold for Our Shared Future?
INTRODUCERE: ASEANFocus+ is pleased to feature H.E. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, the Philippines’ Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on the Post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision (ACV).
Partnership, Not Protection: Trump’s Defence Policy in Asia
INTRODUCERE: At his maiden Shangri-La Dialogue outing, the US Secretary of Defense laid out a stark and demanding vision for the region’s security. ASEAN and much of Southeast Asia did not feature in it.
US Defence Secretary Raises More Questions than Answers at the Shangri-La Dialogue
INTRODUCERE: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Shangri-la Dialogue speech aimed to address questions about the US commitment to Asia.
Shangri-La Dialogue 2025: Asian Security Going Forward
INTRODUCERE: The Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 has galvanised Asia’s security through far-reaching questions that were first aired at the end of World War.
Shifts in the International Geopolitical Landscape and Implications for China-Europe Relations
INTRODUCERE: The international geopolitical landscape has undergone important shifts in recent years. These shifts are having profound implications for the foreign policy choices of China and Europe and relations between them.
Two-Tiered DEFA Needs A Coherent Strategy For Implementation
INTRODUCERE: Given differing levels of digital capabilities among ASEAN members, a two-tier solution to the Digital Economy Framework Agreement might be most fitting.
Power and Opposition Under Prabowo’s Political Cartel
INTRODUCERE: In the lead up to the Presidential elections and up until recently, the prevalent mode of political activity in Indonesia has been speculation.
ASEAN Is Indonesia’s Map – It Is Time to Navigate It
INTRODUCERE: Amid the uncertainty arising from a fractured global order, Indonesia’s foreign policy must strategically prioritise its core geographic and regional centrality
India, the EU and the Demand for Renewed Partnerships
INTRODUCERE: Amid Trump’s tariffs, China’s rise, and a series of unfolding global crises, the India–EU partnership offers a promising and stabilising roadmap for a fragmented global order.
Building Corridors of Influence: India’s and China’s Infrastructure Initiatives in Myanmar and Thailand
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia’s cultural diversity, economic potential, and geopolitical weight have made it a focal point for global players seeking both influence and economic gains.
As America Retreats, Japan and South Korea Can Step Up
INTRODUCERE: The free, open and stable international order is in grave danger, as former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida presciently warned in 2023.
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship: Laying the Groundwork for Vision 2045
INTRODUCERE: Joanne Lin, Melinda Martinus and Kristina Fong analyse how Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship and Vision 2045 reflect ASEAN’s strategic recalibration amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
An Intelligent Trade-Off: AI as a Double-Edged Sword in Southeast Asia’s Climate Battle
INTRODUCERE: Indira Zahra Aridati argues that although AI offers positive benefits for Southeast Asia’s climate battle, the region should not look at its usage through rose-tinted glasses.
Vietnam’s Response to Controversial Mekong Projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia
INTRODUCERE: Vietnam is anxious about the geostrategic implications of upstream Mekong projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia.
The Inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Economic Aspirations Amid Strategic Ambiguity
INTRODUCERE: Sufian Jusoh and Joanne Lin assess Malaysia’s bold initiative to host the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, exploring its strategic rationale, economic potential, and the implications for ASEAN’s centrality
South Asia’s Regional Integration: Lessons from Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: Despite their proximity and commercial ties that date back centuries, trade and investment between Southeast Asia and South Asia remain way below their potential.
Vietnam’s Response to Controversial Mekong Projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia
INTRODUCERE: Maintaining good relations with China, Laos, and Cambodia is Vietnam’s top foreign policy priority. As land-based neighbours with deep historical and political bonds
Changes in the Indo-Pacific Strain Security on the Korean Peninsula
INTRODUCERE: THE 2025 MUNICH Security Conference in February was a watershed moment and may well be marked by future historians as the “end of the US-led liberal world order and the point when the erosion of liberal hegemony within Western democracies
Will Malaysia Gravitate Further Towards China After President Xi’s Visit?
INTRODUCERE: A flurry of bilateral agreements on travel, transport, logistics, technology, and digital economy signal closer Malaysia-China cooperation in the future.
A Strategic Convergence Indonesia–Türkiye Relations
INTRODUCERE: During his visit to Türkiye in early April 2025, President Prabowo Subianto made agreements with the Turkish government on various sectors
ASEAN Faces a Tougher Balancing Act in US and China Trade Relations
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN countries find themselves in a more delicate position trying to address US concerns while maintaining favourable relations with China.
Big-Power Games in the Indian Ocean
INTRODUCERE: IN OCTOBER last year, the decades-long sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Archipelago seemed to have been solved.
India’s MAHASAGAR Vision: Strategic Continuity in the Indian Ocean
INTRODUCERE: India's new MAHASAGAR vision signals strategic continuity in Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Mauritius in March 2025 for a two-day state visit as a guest for the National Day of Mauritius.
IRSEA's President and Founder, Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica, Delivers Interactive Lecture on „Norms of Diplomatic Practice” Module
Xi’s Charm Offensive in Southeast Asia Sends a Message to DC
INTRODUCERE: China’s President Xi Jinping’s visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia
Southeast Asia central to global trade response
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia was hard hit by US President Donald Trump’s so-called Liberation Day tariffs given its high integration into global value chains.
THE U.S.-CHINA AI AND DIGITALIZATION RACE: GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS AND STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES
INTRODUCERE: The growing advancements in the field of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) between the United States and China
With Trump’s Coercive Tariffs Paused, Will ASEAN Collective Action Work?
INTRODUCERE: While the potential for joint action may be limited, current circumstances demand that the regional bloc expand its horizons.
The Sino-US Trade War Presents Hard Choices for Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: In the ensuing Sino-US trade war, China, to use Trump’s lingo, has more cards to play than its economic rival.
Xi’s Southeast Asia Tour: China Needs More Than a Charm Offensive
INTRODUCERE: China has embarked on a charm offensive in Southeast Asia in the wake of the US’ “Liberation Day” tariffs. This is unlikely to allay concerns about its regional behaviour.
Trump’s Tariff Reversal: An Opportunity for Trade Realignment in Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: As trade policy takes a volatile turn under the US leader, ASEAN can seize the moment to diversify global partnerships and assert a stronger voice in the international trade order.
From Charter to Action: BIMSTEC’s Security Turn
INTRODUCERE: At its sixth Summit, BIMSTEC took a decisive step toward tackling transnational crime by strengthening regional security cooperation
Japan’s International Strategy and the Challenges of Trump 2.0
INTRODUCERE: Japan has been conducting proactive and high-level diplomacy with the US since the inauguration of the Trump 2.0 administration.
Beijing Retains Considerable Weight in Regional Perceptions
INTRODUCERE: Despite some apprehension about its actions, Beijing continues to retain considerable weight among Southeast Asian elites.
Making the EU a Credible Economic Hedge for ASEAN
INTRODUCERE: Against a more uncertain global economic backdrop, the European Union and ASEAN face greater urgency to strengthen economic engagement and strategic partnerships.
Taking Southeast Asia’s Pulse on Geopolitics
INTRODUCERE: Some Southeast Asians appear to have warmed to Trump.
Singapore is Not Buying into Trump 2.0
INTRODUCERE: This commentary draws on the perspectives of 242 respondents from Singapore who participated in the State of Southeast Asia 2025 Survey.
DECLINE OF A SUPERPOWER
INTRODUCERE: A superpower such as the United States of America (US) is defined by its overwhelming material powers, particularly its military and economic powers.
Blue Horizons, Green Growth: ASEAN and BIMSTEC for a Prosperous Indo-Pacific
INTRODUCERE: The context of an ASEAN-BIMSTEC partnership is shaped by the strategic significance of their overlapping geographies and shared challenges within the Indo-Pacific.
A new global order is emerging as Trump rolls the security dice
INTRODUCERE: The US won’t play its post-World War II role. What happens next will depend on others’ responses
Indonesia’s Probable Foreign Policy Shift from the West under a Prabowo Administration
INTRODUCERE: Under Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia is expected to further distance itself from traditional Western alliances — a trend initiated during Jokowi’s administration — by prioritising partnerships within Asia
From Paris to Tariffs: US Goals Risk Ceding Influence in Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: The Trump administration’s withdrawal from its climate commitments and dismantling of USAID have not only jeopardised Southeast Asia’s energy transition but also US soft power
Pushing Ahead With Regional Integration: ASEAN’s Agency in a Transitioning Global Order
INTRODUCERE: Increasing strategic competition among major powers pose a challenge to ASEAN’s relevance in multilateralism and the rules-based international order. ASEAN must harness technological change and support energy transition to
Trump’s ‘Liberation’ Day Unlikely to End Well for Southeast Asia — or Anyone
INTRODUCERE: Trump’s “Liberation” day tariffs will hit Southeast Asia hard.
2025/22 “Assessing China’s Call for “Strategic Autonomy” in Southeast Asia: Origins, Objectives and Outcomes”
INTRODUCERE: In April 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his call on the EU to exercise its strategic autonomy in various areas
All’s not well between the US and Japan amid Trump’s return to power
INTRODUCERE: Japan’s ties with the US face uncertainty under Trump, with trade disputes, security tensions, and shifting global alliances.
Bridges to Asia
SEVEN ESSENTIAL POINTS OF GETTING TO KNOW TODAY CHINA
INTRODUCERE: On March 20, 2025, Mrs. Hua Yafang, the Charge d’Affaires a.i of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bucharest organized a media meeting to present seven essential political, security and economic points of getting to know today China
THE MOST RECENT EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN INDONESIA AND ROMANIA
INTRODUCERE: Bilaterally and multilaterally, Romania and Indonesia form a robust relationship.
Commentaries & Analyses
Trump Through Delhi’s Lens
INTRODUCERE: The broader Indian populace may have missed the nuances of President Donald Trump’s address on March 4 to the U.S.
Southeast Asia Will Be Challenged by Trump 2.0
INTRODUCERE: Sarang Shidore suggests that deeper intra-ASEAN coordination could help the region cope amidst uncertainties surrounding US foreign policy under Trump 2.0.
The growing appeal of BRICS amidst a crumbling Western order
INTRODUCERE: BRICS's growing appeal reflects a shifting world order as nations seek flexible, multipolar cooperation over rigid Western-led frameworks. Will it deliver?
Shifting tides in the Blue Pacific
INTRODUCERE: The Pacific Islands region faced multiple challenges in 2024, from violent unrest in New Caledonia to devastating natural disasters in PNG and Vanuatu.
Indonesia: Towards a Durable Political Order?
INTRODUCERE: Can the current president, who seems politically stronger than his predecessor, sustain the big-tent coalition that brought him power?
The Trump-Zelenskyy Confrontation: Setting the Stage for a Renewal in China-Southeast Asia Relations
INTRODUCERE: The Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office confrontation exposed the vulnerabilities of the Trump administration and Washington’s shift away from global leadership.
Understanding India’s Evolving Policy of Strategic Autonomy
INTRODUCERE: Analysts have ascribed India’s enduring engagement with Russia as an outcome of its intrinsic preference for the policy of strategic autonomy.
Trump’s Aid Freeze Could Disrupt Progress in US-Vietnam Reconciliation
INTRODUCERE: Suspending USAID programmes risks undermining years of work building trust between the former enemies and helping victims of the Vietnam War.
US Suspension of Foreign Aid: Will China Fill the Void?
INTRODUCERE: As the US shuts down its supply of foreign assistance, some Southeast Asian countries are looking at China to fill the gap.
2025/12 “Indonesia’s Probable Foreign Policy Shift from the West under a Prabowo Administration”
INTRODUCERE: The inauguration of Prabowo Subianto as Indonesia’s president and the appointment of Sugiono, a former military officer, as foreign minister mark a potential recalibration of Indonesia’s foreign diplomacy.
A New EU-India Strategic Agenda in 2025
INTRODUCERE: A New EU-India Strategic Agenda in 2025
Europe’s Trump dilemma
INTRODUCERE: It's a new phase in the Ukraine war as the Trump administration moves to hold talks with Russia without the presence of Ukraine or Europe.
Trump’s domestic ambitions and the global order
INTRODUCERE: Trump’s policies look homeward but impact the world
Navigating Trump 2.0 Tariffs: Keep Calm and Carry On
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asian countries are likely to be caught up in the crossfire between China and the US. But there could be a silver lining.
Assessing Indonesia’s Relations with the US After Joining BRICS
INTRODUCERE: Indonesia has joined the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa organisation. How will this impact its ties with the United States?
Bracing for Trump 2.0
INTRODUCERE: Trump may spring surprises but there exists a broad outline that other policymakers could go by
Whither US-China Relations Under Trump 2.0?
INTRODUCERE: Donald Trump’s second presidency renewed the focus on US-China relations long strained by trade disputes, China’s military growth, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
Predicting the Unpredictable: Trump’s Foreign Policy 2.0
INTRODUCERE: Donald Trump will assume office as the 47th President of the United States on 20 January. However, doubts remain over his unstable and unpredictable disposition and what this will mean for US foreign policy.
Iran’s Geopolitical Gamble in Turning to BRICS
INTRODUCERE: Iran’s pivot to BRICS is a high-stakes gamble that, in the best-case scenario, allows Tehran to survive economically and diplomatically without the West.
On Foreign Policy, Prabowo goes it Alone
INTRODUCERE: On Nov. 9, Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto caused controversy by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with China in which he basically acknowledged that Indonesia had an overlapping claim with China
Revisiting South-South cooperation
INTRODUCERE: One of the major topics on the agenda of the 79th session of th United Nations General Assembly which started on 10 September 2024 is the State of South-South cooperation
Re-ordering the World: China’s Global South Focus versus the Ally-centric Approach of the US
INTRODUCERE: Institutional balancing has become a key strategy in US-China strategic competition, with both powers taking different approaches in leveraging their institutional networks to advance their strategic agenda.
Building a New International Order in Northeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: TENSIONS HAVE BEEN rising in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula, which are all becoming flashpoints for geopolitical conflicts, leading to a global security crisis.
ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS TO BE INTERNATIOALY FOLLOWED TOWARDS CONSOLIDATING PEACE, SECURITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE TODAY TUMULTUOS AND DENGEROUS WORLD
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN through its Partnership system is taking measures to maintain and consolidate peace, security and resilience in the region, and beyond, under the circumstances of being themselves already affected by the international geopolitical rivalries and local tensions.
BRICS Southeast Asia hype belies wider Indo-Pacific institutional stakes
INTRODUCERE: The interest of Southeast Asian states in BRICS should be viewed from a broader perspective of regional and global institutional flux
North Korea in the Ukraine War Presages an Era of Confrontation With China
INTRODUCERE: North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine expands the conflict, intertwining security challenges in Asia and Europe.
Should Southeast Asia Try to Pick Up the Pieces On IPEF?
INTRODUCERE: The US is likely to pull out of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. But the remaining members should be able to advance the framework.
In Asia, Trump Will Likely Do Little – and that Could be Dangerous
INTRODUCERE: Many East Asia foreign policy experts are expecting that the re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States will usher in significant change.
Trump 2.0 Presidency: What Is in Store for Southeast Asia?
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia is unlikely to be a priority in Trump’s foreign policy agenda, but the region will need to strategise its response to the President-elect’s trade and security stances
Why Southeast Asia Should be Concerned about North Korean Troops in Russia
INTRODUCERE: The arrival of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia represents a serious escalation of the Russia-Ukraine War. Southeast Asian countries should be concerned. They can take action to enforce the sanctions regime against North Korea.
Kukur Tihar (Dog’s Day): Can it be Nepal’s Soft Power?
INTRODUCERE: Joseph Nye Jr defines “soft power,” as a country’s ability to influence others without resorting to coercion. This process involves countries projecting their values, ideals
Modi-Xi overshadows summit
INTRODUCERE: Alternatively, for India, BRICS remains a non-West platform as reiterated by PM Modi at the Russia summit that the organisation must not
The BRICS imperative for India
INTRODUCERE: As India jostles for a greater say on the global stage, platforms like Brics allow New Delhi to amplify its profile and work
Amid Intensifying Sino-US Rivalry, Southeast Asia Can Help Bolster Regional Security
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia can expect regional tensions to rise amid growing Sino-US competition. To preserve regional stability, Southeast Asian countries should work more closely with middle powers.
The International Bioweapons Regime Must be Strengthened, Not Exploited in Geopolitical Competition
INTRODUCERE: Emerging biotechnologies make this a critical time for updating and strengthening the international bioweapons regime.
Outlook for the Prabowo Administration’s Foreign Policy
INTRODUCERE: Incoming Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto can be expected to be more active than his predecessor in managing Indonesia’s foreign and defence policy. The question is whether the region will see a more assertive Indonesia under Prabowo.
The China Factor in India-Japan Relations
INTRODUCERE: The spectre of conflict and strategic competition has begun to haunt the Indo-Pacific in earnest. In the South China Sea, Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam
Biggest Takeaway From Quad Summit Is That It's Here To Stay
INTRODUCERE: US President Joe Biden hosted the Prime Ministers of India, Australia, and Japan for the fourth in-person Quad Leaders' Summit at his hometown, Wilmington, last week
Does the Quad have a security agenda?
INTRODUCERE: A close examination of the Quad's evolving maritime security efforts suggests that it would be premature to dismiss the group's gradually refined security approach
The Quad has defied critics
INTRODUCERE: It has overcome sceptics to widen its ambit of partnership and also set a focused strategic agenda
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM THE COMING VERY SOON NEW INDONESIAN PRESIDENCY
INTRODUCERE: On 20th of October 2024, Prabowo Subianto , President-elect of the Republic of Indonesia, will be sworn in.
Regional Responses to China’s Community of Shared Future for Mankind
INTRODUCERE: By: Hafiizh Hashim|Lye Liang Fook|Souliya Mounnarath|Nguyen Khac Giang|Yohanes Sulaiman|Aletheia Kerygma B. Valenciano
Malaysia and the South China Sea Dispute: A Sea Change Under Prime Minister Anwar?
INTRODUCERE: Published 28 Aug 2024 By Ian Storey „According to a recent spate of articles, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has recalibrated the country’s foreign policy, giving it a more pro-China and anti-Western slant.
INTERIM AFGHAN GOVERNMENT THREE YEARS ON: AN ASSESSMENT
INTRODUCERE: By Amina Khan Director Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA), ISSI August 26, 2024 (Views expressed in the brief are those of the author, and do not represent those of ISSI)
INCREASING ROLE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS: GLOBAL AND REGIONAL TRENDS
INTRODUCERE: Written by: Ghazala Yasmin Jalil Research Fellow Arms Control & Disarmament Centre, ISSI Edited by: Malik Qasim Mustafa July 9, 2024 (Views expressed in the brief are those of the author, and do not represent those of ISSI) “There are important t
NATO at a crossroads: new purpose, fresh challenges
INTRODUCERE: NATO at a crossroads: new purpose, fresh challenges AUTHORS : HARSH V. PANT | VIVEK MISHRA Originally Published Hindustan Times Published on Jul 17, 2024 NATO is at a crossroads. While it may have found an immediate purpose in respon
The State of Southeast Asia Survey Navigating China’s Influence: Insights from the State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey
INTRODUCERE: The State of Southeast Asia Survey Navigating China’s Influence: Insights from the State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey
Asia – Pacific contribution to the Summit on Peace in Ukraine
INTRODUCERE: 19.06.2024 Asia – Pacific contribution to the Summit on Peace in Ukraine On 15 and 16 June 2024, Switzerland organized the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock (Canton of Nidwalden). According to the official point of view, the aim of the high level meeting was to
THE PRODUCTIVE ROLE OF DIALOGUE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
INTRODUCERE: THE PRODUCTIVE ROLE OF DIALOGUE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: LATEST EVIDENCES By Ambassador (p) Gheorghe SAVUICA* On May 31, 2024, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Defense Forum, a very highly attended and globally appreciated security conference in Asia, Singapore, the US and Chin
EVENTS
IRSEA’S PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, AMBASSADOR (P) GHEORGHE SAVUICA, MEETS H.E. RI SANG RIM, ambassador of the DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO ROMANIA
IRSEA's President and Founder, Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica, Delivers Interactive Lecture on „Norms of Diplomatic Practice” Module
IRSEA’S PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, AMBASSADOR (P) GHEORGHE SAVUICA, MEETS H.E. NOEL SERVIGON, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TO ROMANIA
IRSEA's President and Founder, Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica, Delivers Interactive Lecture on „Norms of Diplomatic Practice” Module
INTRODUCERE: On November 11 and 18, 2024, as expression of the excellent long-term cooperation between The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) and the Faculty of International Business and Economics (REI), Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE)
IRSEA WELCOMES H.E. AMBASSADOR R.M. MICHAEL TENE AS ITS HONORARY MEMBER
INTRODUCERE: The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies welcomes H.E. Ambassador R.M. Michael Tene as our newest Honorary Member
IRSEA OCCASIONAL PAPERS
Why the Russia-Ukraine War Continues to Fret Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: 19.06.2024 The State of Southeast Asia Survey Why the Russia-Ukraine War Continues to Fret Southeast Asia PUBLISHED 20 MAY 2024 IAN STOREY Despite the Russia-Ukraine war’s geographical distance from Southeast Asia, the conflict continues to be a major concern for
What does an emerging Squad in the Indo-Pacific mean for India?
INTRODUCERE: 19.06.2024 What does an emerging Squad in the Indo-Pacific mean for India? Authors: HARSH V. PANT* | DON MCLAIN GILL* Originally Published in Mint on May 24, 2024 This new mini-lateral grouping of the US and three of its allies could coordinate actions with the Quad for
India’s nuanced approach in the South China Sea
INTRODUCERE: 19.06.2024 India’s nuanced approach in the South China Sea Authors: HARSH V. PANT | PRATNASHREE BASU Published on Apr 20, 2024 New Delhi’s strategic recalibration recognises the South China Sea’s critical importance to regional security and the
EU-ASEAN FOCUS
The EU’s role as a Resilient and Reliable Middle Power?
INTRODUCERE: Engaging Southeast Asia: The EU’s role as a Resilient and Reliable Middle Power? Published 26 Jun 2024 EUGENE R.L. TAN|JOANNE LIN The European Union (EU) is consistently seen in Southeast Asia as the preferred and trusted “third party” in hedging against the uncert
FOCUS ASIA
India and the QUAD: The Opportunities and Challenges of Trump 2.0
INTRODUCERE: Amid signs that the Trump administration is keen to bolster the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), Sinderpal Singh outlines India’s interests in the partnership and its concerns.
Vietnam-Ukraine Ties: More Engagement, More Balanced Approach?
INTRODUCERE: Vietnam, traditionally seen to be more allied with Russia, has recently increased its diplomatic engagements with Ukraine.
Productive partnership
INTRODUCERE: Given Donald Trump’s personality, maintaining good relations with him plays a crucial role. Addressing PM Modi as a friend, Trump also described him as a “tough negotiator
Southeast Asia must Prepare for Trump’s ‘Everything’s on the Table’ Approach to Trade
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia was spared in the initial flurry of Trumpian trade actions, but Trump’s introduction of expansive and unprecedented non-trade issues into trade relations will inevitably entangle the region.
India-US Relations Amidst the Maritime Great Game in the Indo-Pacific: A Power-Transition?
INTRODUCERE: International politics is a dynamically evolving complex power game, where nation-states are in a constant struggle to carve out their own area of influence.
Myanmar Elections in 2025: Next Gambit for Regime Legitimacy?
INTRODUCERE: The Myanmar junta seeks to hold national elections in 2025 against the backdrop of an ongoing civil war. The elections will most certainly not conform to the principles of a free and fair poll.
How A Ceasefire In Ukraine Could Affect Asian Security
INTRODUCERE: A ceasefire in Ukraine could enable Washington to strengthen its deterrence network in the Indo-Pacific. But this depends on whether Trump hews to traditional balance of power considerations.
Trump 2.0 and the US-Philippines Alliance: Consistency and Change
INTRODUCERE: The US-Philippines alliance is expected to be reinforced in the Trump 2.0 administration. It will, however, be tested given existing regional flashpoints and the need to follow through commitments pledged in previous years.
After the Honeymoon, Where Will President Prabowo Take Indonesia? A Governance Perspective
INTRODUCERE: How have Indonesia’s new president and his administration fared in its critical first 100 days?
The Many Facets of Prabowo Subianto: Quo Vadis Indonesia’s Foreign Policy?
INTRODUCERE: There is a general consensus among observers of Indonesian politics thatPra bowo Subianto will be a hands-on president
Issue Brief on “Strategic Implications of the Russia-India 500,000 Barrel-Per-Day Energy Agreement”
INTRODUCERE: India and Russia recently solidified their energy partnership by signing a landmark agreement for the supply of 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) over the next decade.
POLICY LESSONS FOR UPGRADING ECONOMIC AGENDA IN PAKISTAN-EU RELATIONS
INTRODUCERE: The European Union (EU) is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners, accounting for over 15% of its total exports.
Can Japan Provide Stability to Southeast Asia Amid US Uncertainty?
INTRODUCERE: The Japanese leader’s trips to Malaysia and Indonesia signify the country’s desire to be a stable force in Southeast Asia with deeper military, economic and green energy ties as Trump takes office
Japan’s Official Security Assistance to Southeast Asia: Limited Scope, but Real Impact
INTRODUCERE: The introduction of Official Security Assistance (OSA) in Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy aims to increase the deterrence capabilities of Southeast Asian countries.
Japan’s Foreign Policy Outlook in 2025
INTRODUCERE: What will 2025 portend for Japan on the foreign policy front and how should Japan navigate its external relations in the year ahead?
Trump 2.0 and the Pacific Island Countries – What To Expect?
INTRODUCERE: After the shock of the 2022 security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands, the United States increased its engagement with Pacific island countries.
The South China Sea in 2025: More of the Same, Possibly Worse
INTRODUCERE: The prognosis for tensions in the South China Sea dispute this year is pretty straightforward: what has been and is will continue to be so, and perhaps even worse.
RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies Year In Review 2024
INTRODUCERE: This annual publication is the NTS Centre’s reflections on the events of the past year and contemplations on issues of non-traditional security in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Japan-ROK-US Trilateral Relations: Flying into Turbulence
INTRODUCERE: The political tides are going against the recently impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
South-South Solidarity in Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: PUBLISHED 26 AUG 2024 GRACE STANHOPE Intra-regional aid in Southeast Asia could become a viable alternative for states seeking to assert their independence and engage with sources outside the Global North. Clearly, this form of intra-regional cooperation is still relatively m
UK and the Indo-Pacific: Get Real about Progressive Realism
INTRODUCERE: PUBLISHED 6 AUG 2024 EUGENE R.L. TAN|WILLIAM CHOONG The UK might be scaling down its footprint into the Indo-Pacific. This is a bad idea.… The new UK government cannot argue that more pressing concerns in the Atlantic and Europe should lead to red
Southeast Asia and BRICS: Fear of Missing Out
INTRODUCERE: PUBLISHED 9 JUL 2024 SHARON SEAH The fact that five Southeast Asian countries are seeking to join BRICS should not be seen as an affront to the West and its so-called rules-based order. ASEAN does not constrain its members from joining other multilateral coopera
“Japan, the Courteous Power, Bares Some Teeth for Regional Stability” by William Choong and Joanne Lin
INTRODUCERE: ISEAS Perspective 2024/54, 18 July 2024 INTRODUCTION ASEAN and Japan celebrated five decades of partnership in a Commemorative Summit in December 2023,[1] with the theme “Trusted Partners”. This aptly encapsulated a relationship built on Japan’s respectful d
“Russian President Putin’s Visit to Hanoi: Vietnam’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’ In Action” by Ian Storey
INTRODUCERE: ISEAS Perspective 2024/56, 22 July 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY President Vladimir Putin visited Vietnam on 20 June 2024 in a bid to show that Western efforts to isolate Russia have been unsuccessful. The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) welcomed Putin’s visit as it provided fur
NATO moving into Indo-Pacific? Thanks, but no thanks
INTRODUCERE: Indonesia has an opportunity to wield its unique brand of nonaligned diplomacy in reducing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, especially in quelling NATO's potential expansion into the region, which is almost certain to only exacerbate the situation as shown by the prolonged war between
India Is Turning Up The Heat On China
INTRODUCERE: India Is Turning Up The Heat On China - And Not Just In Its Neighbourhood AUTHORS : HARSH V. PANT | SAYANTAN HALDAR Originally Published NDTV Published on Aug 01, 2024 The week gone by has been a busy period for India in the Indo-Pacific. India's External Aff
Southeast Asia and the Global South: Rhetoric and Reality
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia and the Global South: Rhetoric and Reality PUBLISHED 24 JUL 2024 HOANG THI HA|CHA HAE WON This article contextualises Southeast Asian countries within the Global South discourse, examining where they align with the characteristics generally associated with the
FOCUS ASEAN
THE MOST CHALLENGING EVENT FOR ASEAN IS COMING SOON
INTRODUCERE: Under the current world developments, which created strong fears and uncertainties in South East Asia and, equally, everywhere else on our planet,
Great Power Competition in Technology: Implications for ASEAN
INTRODUCERE: Amid great power tensions, Elina Noor suggests measures that ASEAN can take to proactively shape its technological future, highlighting the importance of a people-centred approach.
Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship 2025: Strengthening regionalism, inter-regionalism and Global South mobilisation
INTRODUCERE: Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship comes at a critical juncture, as it seeks to strengthen regionalism, inter-regional ties, and Global South cooperation
Placing ASEAN amidst a growing US-China competition
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN must reinforce its unity and centrality, leveraging strategic partnerships like India to navigate shifting geopolitics.
Myanmar shows ASEAN centrality is weakening
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN remains divided on the Myanmar crisis, with internal rifts undermining efforts to implement its Five-Point Consensus.
The ADMM-Plus at 15
INTRODUCERE: The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus marks its 15th anniversary this year.
ADMM-Plus Observership: Managing Inclusivity and Openness Amid Geopolitical Rivalry
INTRODUCERE: The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus continues to draw attention from Western countries seeking to participate in the forum.
Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN: Between Continuation and Adaptation of the Myanmar Crisis
INTRODUCERE: The ongoing civil strife in Myanmar has escalated into a humanitarian crisis and is one of ASEAN’s pressing challenges.
ASEAN adapts and advances as global politics shift
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN, now under Malaysian leadership, is well-equipped to manage international challenges in 2025 due to its vibrant economy
New ASEAN Power Grid Agreement Must Reflect New Needs
INTRODUCERE: It’s time to incorporate new key priorities into the pact to better address current realities of energy interconnection and serve future needs.
A female secretary-general of ASEAN: Has the time finally arrived?
INTRODUCERE: While women make up half of Southeast Asia’s population, regional effoorts to mainstream gender issues so far remain a formidable challenge.
ASEAN ‘Centrality’ and China-Japan-South Korea Trilateral Co-operation
INTRODUCERE: Southeast Asia is far ahead of Northeast Asia when it comes to regional integration. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has become something of a model for co-operation and an important convenor of discussions
Strengthening ASEAN Unity and Resilience amid Global Uncertainties - one of the main goals of the Association in 2025
INTRODUCERE: As it is known, the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 belongs to Malaysia. As a result, the first significant event of the Association this year took place on the island Langkawi on the 19th of January, 2025, namely the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat.
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship: Facing Treacherous Geopolitical Headwinds
INTRODUCERE: Former Fox News host turned presidential nominee for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s inability to name any ASEAN country in his Senate confirmation hearing was concerning but frankly, not surprising.
Malaysia as ASEAN 2025 Chair: Can Anwar Make a Difference?
INTRODUCERE: As Malaysia steps into the rotating role of chair of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vision for the regional bloc comes at a crucial time.
Southeast Asia’s Economic Performance in 2024 and Outlook for 2025: Navigating Rising Risks
INTRODUCERE: The region is finally showing clear signs of recovery from the multi-year pandemic but 2025 portends more serious headwinds against which regional governments and businesses will have to steer.
Roundtable on the Return of Trump and Implications for ASEAN-US Relations
INTRODUCERE: The re-election of Donald Trump as the President of the US for a second term is poised to reshape the trajectory of ASEAN-US relations
Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainties, How Has ASEAN Fared?
INTRODUCERE: To maintain the vision of an ASEAN regional architecture, the ASEAN member states will have to hang together as intensifying global power shifts and competitive dynamics threaten to pull them apart.
ASEAN’s 2025 Chair: Navigating Tricky (Economic) Shoals
INTRODUCERE: As ASEAN’s chair next year, Malaysia is well-placed to pilot ASEAN through economic turbulence, particularly at a time of intense geopolitical flux.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Strengthening ASEAN-India Relations in an Evolving World
INTRODUCERE: Yanitha Meena Louis argues that for the ASEAN-India relationship to reach its full potential, it must move beyond surface-level engagement and delve deeper into strategic issues that reflect the dynamic roles of both parties
ASEAN and The Principle of Non-Intervention
INTRODUCERE: Some critics have attributed adherence to the principle of non-intervention as one of the main reasons for ASEAN’s inability to address the situation in Myanmar.
Can ASEAN and India bring peace to Myanmar
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN and India will need to adopt a more inclusive and pragmatic approach towards Myanmar — one that involves all key stakeholders
Role of ADMM/ADMM-Plus: Preparing ASEAN for an Era of Conflict
INTRODUCERE: At their summit in October 2024, ASEAN leaders discussed regional and international issues that significantly affect the political security landscape.
China and the Philippines Contested Relations
INTRODUCERE: The South China Sea, a semi-enclosed body of water in the western Pacific Ocean, spans over 3.5 million square kilometres.
Ishiba’s New Security Proposals: A Bridge Too Far for ASEAN?
INTRODUCERE: New Japanese premier Shigeru Ishiba has brought some new security proposals to the region. They are unlikely to find a warm reception.
A Small Country’s Big Moment in ASEAN Amid Challenges
INTRODUCERE: Joanne Lin, Sharon Seah, Melinda Martinus, and Kristina Fong examine the outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and assess Laos’ achievement as the ASEAN Chair.
ASEAN and the UN: Strengthening Security Through Multilateralism
INTRODUCERE: Published: 26 Sep 2024 Author: Joanne Lin Amid growing geopolitical fragmentation, ASEAN and the United Nations can work together to shore up the multilateral system. The highest-level meeting between ASEAN and the United Nations (UN) will take place on 11 October 202
The Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement: Complementing and Cementing the Hub-and-Spokes System
INTRODUCERE: ISEAS Perspective 2024/70
Singapore as India's bridge to southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: "Singapore’s centrality in India’s Southeast Asia outreach is reflected in the two countries’ cooperation in multilateral forums.
The emergence of Timor-Leste in Southeast Asia
INTRODUCERE: "Timor-Leste's strategic location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans positions it as a vital player in India’s Act East Policy.
Kamala Harris and ASEAN: Values and Climate Agenda Will Complicate Trade Ties
INTRODUCERE: „If Harris becomes the next US president, ASEAN will not share her values-based approach to trade, which she sees as a tool to advance non-trade objectives.”
China Strengthens Higher Educational Ties with Southeast Asian Nations
INTRODUCERE: Published 2 Sep 2024 By: Xue Song|Brice Tseen Fu Lee "In higher education, China and Southeast Asia enjoy a symbiotic relationship."
Addressing Geopolitical Challenges in the Region and Beyond through ASEAN-Led Mechanisms
INTRODUCERE: “Addressing Geopolitical Challenges in the Region and Beyond through ASEAN-Led Me
ROMANIA ON THE WAY TO JOIN ASEAN TREATY OF AMITY AND COOPERATION (TAC). A SIGNIFICANT EXPECTED DEVELOPMENT IN ITS RELATIONS WITH SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES!
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), established in 1976, is a treaty of cooperation and non-aggression between ASEAN countries and their partners. The agreement aims to promote peace, friendship, and cooperation among Southeast Asian nations. As of September 2023, 54 countries had joined the treaty.
ASEAN-BIMSTEC Synergy: Bringing Together Global South Forces
INTRODUCERE: AUTHORS : PROMIT MOOKHERJEE | ADNAN AHMAD ANSARI | ANOUSHKA KHATRI Special Reports Published on Jul 30, 2024 Introduction The Indo-Pacific is emerging as a hotspot for global politics and economics even as it faces the massive c
Does ASEAN matter to the US? Does the US matter to ASEAN?
INTRODUCERE: Even as ASEAN states become more dependent economically on China, this has not stopped them from pursuing closer defense and security cooperation with the US. Endy Bayuni (The Jakarta Post) Aug 31, 2023 PREMIUM United States President
'If only': ASEAN, China must resume talks over SCS code of conduct
INTRODUCERE: “If only” isn’t a good basis for designing foreign policy, but ASEAN and China both need to look beyond the current tensions in the South China Sea at the bigger, far-reaching picture of the region’s future to decide if they want peace and if so, h
ASEAN’s Unity Under the Microscope
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN’s Unity Under the Microscope PUBLISHED 30 JUL 2024 JOANNE LIN|SHARON SEAH Laos, the current chair of ASEAN, has found that it has to grapple with increasingly contentious geopolitical issues. Please follow the link https://fulcrum.sg/aseans-unity-under-the-
ASEAN Centrality needs redefinition or getting different dynamics?
INTRODUCERE: ASEAN CENTRALITY NEEDS REDEFINITION OR GETTING DIFFERENT DYNAMICS? THE 57th ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING VIEW. ASEAN SINCE OCTOBER 20, 2024
The State of Southeast Asia: 2024 Survey Report
INTRODUCERE: The State of Southeast Asia: 2024 Survey Report It is very well known and recognized evidence that Southeast Asia has a significant importance and role, globally, and, particularly, in Asia-Pacific developments, while The Association of Southeast Asia Nations – ASEAN is unanimo
The ASEAN FUTURE FORUM 2024
INTRODUCERE: The ASEAN FUTURE FORUM 2024 – premier event organized by Vietnam On April 23, 2024, took place in Hanoi the ASEAN FUTURE FORUM 2024, with the theme “Toward Fast and Sustainable Growth of a People-Centred ASEAN Community”, to materialize the initiative launche