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CSIS Southeast Asia SIT-REP
The SIT-REP gives you links to all of CSIS Southeast Asia’s (@SoutheastAsiaDC) best updates and programs in a five minute read. This issue includes a report on Southeast Asia’s place in the U.S. Japan alliance, a recent event and commentary on Southeast Asia’s refugee crisis, analysis of what Beijing’s recent South China Sea announcement doesn’t mean, and much more. Links will take you to the full publications, multimedia, or to registration for upcoming programs when available. To jump to a section, select one of the following:
- Research covering Japan and Southeast Asia
- Commentaries on Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand
- Critical Questions on the South China Sea
- CogitAsia articles covering ASEAN, Japan, Myanmar, TPP, and Vietnam
- The Leaderboard profiles from Cambodia, the United States, and Vanuatu
- CogitAsia Podcast discussing India
- The Dialog interviews on Indonesia and the Philippines
- Recent Programs on Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palau, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, and Thailand
- Upcoming Programs on the Philippines, the South China Sea, and Vietnam
Research
The core of CSIS Southeast Asia’s work is our research. Go deep for insight and inspiration
“Southeast Asia’s Geopolitical Centrality and the U.S.-Japan Alliance,” by Ernest Bower (@BowerCSIS), Murray Hiebert (@MurrayHiebert1), Gregory Poling (@GregPoling), and Phuong Nguyen (@PNguyen_DC)
How will Southeast Asian states come to grips with the political and economic rise of China? How will they modernize their military forces and security relationships, and what role can the United States and Japan play? How will they manage their disputes in the South China Sea, and how will they pursue greater regional integration?… Read more >>
“Congressional Testimony: Retreat or Revival: A Status Report on Democracy in Asia,” by Murray Hiebert (@MurrayHiebert1)
It is important to understand trends in Thailand in the context of what is happening broadly in Southeast Asia as well as through the lens of U.S. geopolitical and economic strategy in the Asia Pacific. Thailand influences and is influenced by its neighbors in ASEAN. It is going through a historic political transition that has existential stakes for Thais… Read more >>
Commentaries
Deep insight into developments that move the dial
“Tackling Southeast Asia’s Migrant Crisis,” by Murray Hiebert (@MurrayHiebert1)
The beginning of the monsoon rains in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, coupled with the international spotlight on human traffickers in the region, appears to have slowed the flight of Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar in recent weeks. But once the storms run their course, sometime around October, migrant departures could again erupt… Read more >>
Critical Questions
Fast & efficient read on what you need to know about breaking developments
“China’s Land Reclamation Announcement: A Change in Message, Not in Policy,” by Michael Green, Mira Rapp Hooper (@MiraRappHooper), Ernest Bower (@BowerCSIS), Chris Johnson, and Bonnie Glaser (@BonnieGlaser)
On June 16, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced that “as planned, the land reclamation project of China’s construction on some stationed islands and reefs of the Nansha (Spratly) Islands will be completed in the upcoming days.” He noted that after land reclamation was complete, China would continue to construct facilities on its islands… Read more >>
CogitAsia
The CSIS Asia blog features insights on policy around the Asia Pacific
“United States & Japan Need to Focus on ASEAN to Renew Their Alliance,” by Ernest Bower (@BowerCSIS)
As they face the new geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century, the United States and Japan will be required to modernize and reorient their alliance toward deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific, with particular emphasis on strengthening ASEAN. Asia is now and will be, for the coming decades, the primary source of global economic growth… Read more >>
“Vietnam Party Chief’s Visit to Washington: What Can Be Achieved?,” by Hai Hong Nguyen
While Vietnam and the United States have exchanged frequent high-ranking visits in the past two years, the upcoming visit of Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) general-secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Washington, expected in July, will likely attract the most attention (plans are also in the works for President Barack Obama to visit Vietnam later this year)… Read more >>
“TPP: An Important First Step in the Process of Asia-Pacific Economic Integration,” by Shinichi Isobe
Although congressional authorization of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) is in limbo now, the House decided to take up the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill again by the end of July. Once they are signed into law, the United States and Japan may conclude bilateral trade talks and that will lead to the conclusion of the TPP negotiations…. Read more >>
“Myanmar’s Communicable Disease Challenge,” by Jacob Thomases
This year marks the end of the 15-year window given to complete the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight challenges given to the developing world by the United Nations in 2000. It is an opportunity for Myanmar, which has been under a spotlight because of the presence there of drug-resistant malaria, to receive international help… Read more >>
“Trade Legislation: What Happens Next?,” by Scott Miller
Concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a key priority for the Obama administration. TPP has long been viewed as a critical component of U.S. economic engagement with the Asia Pacific. TPA assures our trading partners that the Congress will consider TPP implementing legislation in a timely manner and without amendment… Read more >>
“Myanmar’s Challenge: Aligning Private Investment with the Public Interest,” by George Abonyi
Myanmar requires large-scale infrastructure investments in power generation, transportation, special economic zones, and resource development, as well as other supporting infrastructure, to realize its long-term growth and development. Such mega-projects typically have high costs, take years to develop and build, involve many stakeholders, and carry significant long-term impacts… Read more >>
The Leaderboard
Two-minute read on the real people that are making news
Sato Kilman, Prime Minister of Vanuatu
Prime Minister Kilman came to power on June 11 after Parliament passed a no-confidence motion removing his predecessor Joe Natuman from office. Three government lawmakers joined the opposition to pass the motion ousting Natuman, after which Kilman defeated fellow parliamentarian Ham Lini in a 28 to 22 vote to become prime minister… Read more >>
Hang Puthea, Member of Cambodia’s National Election Committee
Puthea will serve as the neutral member of the committee that includes four members each chosen by the CNRP and CPP. The establishment of the election commission marked a new political accommodation between Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy, ending a long political standoff following the hotly contested 2013 national elections… Read more >>
Daniel Kritenbrink, National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs
Daniel Kritenbrink is a career diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Service, who served until recently as the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Beijing. Kritenbrink spent much of the last decade in positions focusing on China, including as the minister-counselor for political affairs at the U.S. embassy in Beijing… Read more >>
Chum Bun Rong, Cambodian Ambassador to the United States
Chum Bun Rong was most recently an adviser to the government of Cambodia. He has served in a number of official roles, including as adviser to the prime minister and as secretary-general of the Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority. Bun Rong also served as the deputy director for the National Authority for Land Dispute Resolution… Read more >>
CogitAsia Podcast
An engaging mix of news, analysis, and predictions from around the region
CogitAsia Podcast: June 11, 2015
On this week’s podcast, CSIS Wadhwani Chair Richard Rossow joins to assess Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s visit to Delhi and explains what the renewed defense framework agreement means for the future of U.S.-India military ties. We also review the region’s news and share our one to watch…Listen >>
The Dialog
Short, to the point interviews with the region’s policymakers
Maria Ressi, Founder of Rappler, Philippines
Ernie Bower sits down with Maria Ressa, founder of Philippine news website Rappler, to discuss U.S.-Philippine relations, the pending Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the 2016 Philippine elections, the peace process in Mindanao, and the potential for the Philippines to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership… Listen to Dialog >>
Sidney Jones, Director of Indonesia’s Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict
Murray Hiebert sits down with Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, to discuss the Indonesian military’s efforts to tackle terrorism within its borders, Islam’s political influence on anti-terrorism legislation, and the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq’s radicalization attempts in Indonesia…. Listen to Dialog >>
Recent Programs
CSIS programs are designed to expose you to policymakers through open and honest dialogue
Tackling Southeast Asia’s Refugee Crisis, June 17
CSIS hosted a panel discussion analyzing the refugee crisis in Southeast Asia, the reasons for the refugee departures, the responses of neighboring countries and the international community, and exploring possible solutions. Panelists included Assistant Secretary of State Anne Richard and Ambassador Pisan Manawapat, Embassy of Thailand… Read more >>
Banyan Tree Leadership Forum with K Shanmugam, Foreign Minister of Singapore, June 15
CSIS hosted a discussion with Foreingn Minister K Shangmugam, whose remarks touched on Singapore’s bilateral relations with the United States, regional relationships, ASEAN’s integration plans the opportunities and challenges facing Singapore, and the importance of the TPP to U.S. credibility in the Asia Pacific… Read more >>
Pacific Day 2015, June 11
CSIS and the ambassadors and representatives of Pacific countries and territories hosted the annual Pacific Day at the Embassy of New Zealand, featuring a seminar on addressing policy concerns in the Pacific. Speakers included Palau’s president Tommy Remengesau, New Zealand representative to the UN Gerard van Bohemen, and Under Secretary of State Catherine Novelli… Read more >>
Banyan Tree Leadership Forum with Tommy Remengesau, President of Palau, June 11
CSIS hosted a conversation with Tommy Remengesau, president of the Republic of Palau. He discussed Palau’s effort to protect its marine resources and sovereign maritime territory. The U.S. and Palau are formal partners under a Compact of Free Association agreement, an important alliance given Palau’s geostrategic importance… Read more >>
Upcoming Programs
CSIS programs are designed to expose you to policymakers through open and honest dialogue
Banyan Tree Leadership Forum with Senator Patrick Leahy, June 23
CSIS will host a conversation with Patrick Leahy, ranking minority member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Relations. Senator Leahy will address the strategic importance of the United States working to address war legacies in Vietnam, specifically unexploded ordnance and Agent Orange… Read more >>
Dynamic Philippine Economy: Growth, Reform, and Looking Ahead, June 24
CSIS will bring together key thought leaders, business executives, and policy makers from the Philippines and the United States for a discussion on how key economic trends relate to the future of U.S.-Philippine relations. The focus will be on trade, investment, innovation, development, and other important business trends in the Philippines… Read more >>
Fifth Annual CSIS South China Sea Conference, July 21
This full-day conference will provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and analysis of U.S. and Asian policy options in the South China Sea. It will feature speakers from throughout the region, including claimant countries. Panels will address recent developments, legal issues, the strategic balance, and engage in a crisis simulation…Details to follow
For more the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies, check out our website, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, visit our blog CogitAsia, and listen to our podcast at CogitAsia and iTunes. Thank you for your interest in U.S. policy in Southeast Asia and CSIS Southeast Asia. Join the conversation!
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