Program Related Publication Feeds

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th & K Streets: Ratification of the Law of the Sea

gpoling — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The credibility of the United States in the Asia Pacific is at stake on a decision whether to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While there are other compelling arguments for ratification, none is as urgent as the requirement for the United States to solidify its commitment to the rule of international law, including in the Asia Pacific.

Advancing the National Interests of the United States: Ratification of the Law of the Sea

sherry — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

U.S. Eases Myanmar Sanctions in Response to Reforms

sherry — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Obama administration announced May 17 that it would ease sanctions against Myanmar in response to the government’s recent political and economic reforms. Sanctions were suspended, not revoked, and the move still holds back U.S. companies from moving forward in some key sectors in Myanmar.

From Strength to Empowerment

jdunton — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Relations between the United States and Malaysia are at an all-time high. Since President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Najib Razak entered office in 2009, both countries’ governments have committed to a new beginning and moved to establish closer ties through increased political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation.

The U.S.-ASEAN Relationship in 2030

sherry — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Thinking about the U.S.-ASEAN relationship in 2030 is a useful exercise for testing the tenets of U.S. strategy in the region and in Asia generally.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: The U.S.-ASEAN Relationship in 2030

gpoling — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Thinking about the U.S.-ASEAN relationship in 2030 is a useful exercise for testing the tenets of U.S. strategy in the region and in Asia generally.

Implications and Results: United States–Philippines Ministerial Dialogue

sherry — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

As the United States refocuses on the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening and deepening ties with its treaty allies and expanding its partnership with other countries has become a priority. In that context, the first United States–Philippines Ministerial Dialogue was held April 30 in Washington, D.C. The fact that the meeting took place days after U.S.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: Indonesia's Economic Inflection Point

gpoling — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Indonesia is at an economic inflection point, which was dramatically underlined this week as two stories broke on the same day. First, Indonesia reported that it set a historic record of $5.7 billion in foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 30 percent over the same period in 2011.

Indonesia’s Economic Inflection Point

sherry — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Arguing Over Blocks: Do China and the Philippines Both Have a Claim?

gpoling — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

This post is the first in a new blog series, The South China Sea Frame-by-Frame. It incorporates data and imagery from the CSIS Southeast Asia Program's innovative policy tool, The South China Sea in High Resolution. It originally appeared on CSIS' Asia Policy blog, cogitASIA.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: U.S. Strategic Alignment: The Next Steps for U.S. Policy in Myanmar

gpoling — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Despite complaints of voting irregularities, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won 43 of the 45 seats contested in Myanmar’s April 1 parliamentary by-elections.

The Next Steps for U.S. Policy in Myanmar

sherry — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

U.S. Strategic Alignment: Squaring Trade and Grand Strategy in Asia

sherry — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The United States has all the tools at hand to build an enduring and sustainable strategy for engagement in the Asia Pacific. But some careful work is needed to fit the key parts of this policy together. The most compelling requirement is to ensure that trade policy supports a comprehensive U.S. strategy.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: U.S. Strategic Alignment: Squaring Trade and Grand Strategy in Asia

gpoling — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Myanmar's April 1 By-Elections: What’s at Stake?

sherry — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), will stand in by-elections on April 1. This is the first time Suu Kyi and the NLD have participated in elections since 1990. In that election, the NLD swept 392 out of the 492 contested seats, but the results were annulled by the military regime.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: Will Elections Bring Timor-Leste Closer to a Stable Democracy?

gpoling — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The presidential election campaign under way in Timor-Leste, a tiny nation on the southernmost fringe of the Indonesian archipelago, is being closely watched in Washington and New York, in Canberra, and in capitals around Southeast Asia.

Will Elections Bring Timor-Leste Closer to a Stable Democracy?

ian — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Lessons Learned in Normalization: The U.S. and Myanmar Can Benefit from Studying Dos and Don’ts from Vietnam

sherry — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

There’s much speculation among foreign governments and in the international business community that the United States will soon lift its economic sanctions against Myanmar in response to the government’s recent reforms. Despite all this enthusiasm, the U.S.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: Lessons Learned in Normalization

gpoling — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Gillard v. Rudd: The Fight to Lead a Tattered Labor Party

sherry — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A stunned Australian electorate has looked on as long-simmering internal divisions surfaced between the leaders of the incumbent Labor Party, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former foreign minister Kevin Rudd. Rudd resigned as foreign minister during a 1:00 a.m. press conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: Who Is Xi?

gpoling — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Earlier this week, China’s vice president Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for a high level visit. To some, Xi—and China—mean everything to the United States. These observers view Asia’s risks and opportunities through the China prism.

Who Is Xi?

sherry — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Will Myanmar's Reforms Prompt Lifting of U.S. Sanctions?

sherry — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The political reforms underway in Myanmar for nearly one year have prompted a review of U.S. policy toward the country and speculation that the United States might consider lifting some of its sanctions against the regime.

The Pacific's New Market: Trading Aid for Votes

sherry — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

One should not be surprised when Nauru, a nation of less than 10,000, is offered $50 million from Russia. Nor should the opening of diplomatic missions from Georgia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates in the South Pacific be remarkable when considering what is at stake. An economist might say that a market has emerged for purchasing votes at the United Nations.

Pacific Partners Outlook: The Pacific's New Market

gpoling — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Evolving U.S. Footprint in Southeast Asia

kate — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Over the past two weeks, U.S. defense secretary Leon Panetta and his key officers, including Admiral Robert F. Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, have actively explained details of President Barack Obama’s January 5 announcement about the new defense budget and its implications for the Asia Pacific. Southeast Asian counterparts want to clearly understand U.S.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: The Evolving U.S. Footprint in Southeast Asia

gpoling — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Over the past two weeks, U.S. defense secretary Leon Panetta and his key officers, including Admiral Robert Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, have actively explained details of President Barack Obama’s January 5 announcement about the new defense budget and its implications for the Asia Pacific.

The Significance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations

sherry — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: The Year of the Dragon

gpoling — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

As the year of the dragon approaches, ASEAN must ask and answer existential questions about itself and the great powers around it.

The Year of the Dragon: ASEAN's Existential Questions

gpoling — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

As the year of the dragon approaches, ASEAN must ask and answer existential questions about itself and the great powers around it.

Pacific Partners Outlook: Fiji Lifts Martial Law, but Introduces New Restrictions

gpoling — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama’s New Year’s Day announcement that the government will lift emergency powers has been met with considerable skepticism, but it might be considered a first positive step forward.

Fiji Lifts Martial Law, but Introduces New Restrictions

gpoling — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Developing an Enduring Strategy for ASEAN

jdunton — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S.-ASEAN Strategy Commission was organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to provide useful and practical recommendations to American policymakers with the objective of developing a long-term U.S. strategy to deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and the ASEAN organization.

Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar to Be Sentenced January 9

sherry — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The highly politicized trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges will conclude on January 9, when the judge is expected to deliver his verdict. Accusations of character assassination and government interference have marred the nearly two-year trial, which has captured the attention of Malaysians and international observers alike.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: The Republic and the Kingdom: Time for Mutual Respect and Continuity

gpoling — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes the closest relationships are the hardest to manage. Thailand is the United States’ longest-standing ally in Asia, yet relationships with this ally will be among the hardest to handle as U.S. foreign-policy makers look ahead to 2012 and beyond.

The Republic and the Kingdom: Time for Mutual Respect and Continuity

gpoling — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Constitutional Crisis Erupts in Papua New Guinea

sherry — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A political crisis has erupted in Papua New Guinea following the Supreme Court’s 3-2 decision on December 11 that Peter O’Neill’s election as prime minister was unconstitutional. The court ordered that former prime minister Sir Michael Somare be reinstated because the office was not legally vacant when O’Neill was elected on August 2.

Why U.S. Approval of the APEC Business Travel Card Matters

sherry — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On November 12, President Barack Obama signed the APEC Business Travel Cards (“ABT Cards”) Act of 2011, which allows U.S. businesspeople and senior government officials to enjoy the same ease of entry into 18 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries that their counterparts already enjoy.

Southeast Asia from the Corner of 18th and K Streets: Mixed Results for Corruption Fight in Indonesia

gpoling — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Transparency International gave Indonesia another poor grade on December 1 in the country’s battle against corruption. Indonesia scored 3 out of a possible 10 (the cleanest score) in Transparency’s annual Corruptions Perception Index (CPI), a slight improvement from 2.8 last year.

Mixed Results for Corruption Fight in Indonesia

gpoling — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Clinton’s Myanmar Visit: The United States Responds to Reform

ian — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For the first time since John Foster Dulles did it in 1955, a U.S. secretary of state just wrapped up a visit to long-secluded Myanmar.

Key's Mandate: Promote Economic Recovery and Closer Ties with the United States

gpoling — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The November 26 elections in New Zealand saw Prime Minister John Key returned to power with nearly 50 percent of the vote, giving his National Party one of the country’s strongest electoral performances in five decades.

Key's Mandate: Promote Economic Recovery and Closer Ties with the United States

gpoling — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

New Zealand's National Party Returned to Power

sherry — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The November 26 elections in New Zealand saw Prime Minister John Key returned to power with a larger share of the seats in Parliament. His center-right National Party received a plurality of the votes (48 percent, up from 45 percent in 2008) and 60 seats in the 121-seat Parliament, one seat short of a majority.

Why Go to Myanmar?

gpoling — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Why Go to Myanmar?

ian — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Why should Hillary Clinton go to Myanmar? The short answer is to encourage the best chance at real political change in a country that effectively cloistered itself under harsh military rule for nearly five decades. Myanmar, or Burma, has been the virtual political ball and chain of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which it joined in 1997.

The Sixth East Asia Summit and Third U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Bali, Indonesia

ian — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

President Barack Obama and the leaders of 17 other countries will meet this weekend, November 19–20, at the sixth East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bali, Indonesia. In addition, President Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet for the third U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Meeting.

President Obama Will Announce Increased Marine Presence during Australia Visit

ian — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

President Barack Obama will visit Australia on November 16–17 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty and reestablish U.S. leadership in the Asia-Pacific region. His arrival in Canberra will mark his first visit to Australia as president and the first U.S. presidential visit since George W.

EAST ASIA SUMMIT: Next Step is Structure

ian — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Leaders of 18 nations from the Asia-Pacific region will meet in Bali, Indonesia, this week for the East Asia Summit (EAS) in recognition that new regional architecture is required to ensure peace and prosperity in a region that now accounts for over half of world economic activity and will be the center of twenty-first-century security concerns.

APEC Summit Boosts U.S. Trade Opportunities in Asia

ian — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

President Obama’s summit with the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on November 13 marked the beginning of a nine-day push by the president to highlight the U.S. “pivot” toward Asia.