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 new microsite exploring U.S.-New Zealand relations, blog coverage of new developments in the South China Sea, a discussion on the legacy of Agent Orange in Vietnam, 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:
- Commentaries on Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, and Thailand
- CogitAsia articles covering Australia, Cambodia, Nauru, New Zealand, the Philippines, the South China Sea, and Thailand
- The Leaderboard profiles from Indonesia
- CogitAsia Podcast discussing China, South Korea, the TPP, and Vietnam
- Multimedia products on New Zealand
- Recent Programs on the Philippines and Vietnam
- Upcoming Programs on the South China Sea
Commentaries
Deep insight into developments that move the dial
“The Upside of Melanesian Leaders’ West Papua Compromise,” by Gregory Poling (@GregPoling)
Ongoing troubles in the West Papua region undermine the larger narrative of an Indonesia finally at peace with itself, consolidating its democracy and putting the ghosts of its past human rights abuses to bed. Indonesia’s energetic campaign to block Papuan aspirations for a seat in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was a predictable response… Read more >>
“Revisiting U.S. Policy toward Post-Coup Thailand,” by Ernest Bower (@BowerCSIS) and Murray Hiebert (@MurrayHiebert1)
At a time when U.S. relations with most countries in Southeast Asia are warming, the United States’ ties with its oldest partner in the region are a critical outlier. Thailand-U.S. relations have been in a deep freeze for the past 13 months since Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha ousted an elected civilian government following six months of disruptive protests…. Read more >>
CogitAsia
The CSIS Asia blog features insights on policy around the Asia Pacific
“Sophistry & Bad Messaging in the South China Sea,” by Gregory Poling (@GregPoling)
Chinese authorities, as well as sympathetic writers, have in recent months sought to deflect criticism of China’s island-building campaign in the Spratlys by insisting that Beijing is merely copying what other claimants have done for years. According to this narrative, every claimant is as guilty as Beijing of altering the status of features… Read more >>
“Australia, New Zealand, & the Weakening of Rule of Law in Nauru,” by Ben Schaare
Angry protests outside of Nauru’s Parliament building on June 16 over alleged government corruption are evidence of Nauruans’ serious concerns about the government’s continued disregard for the rule of law. As its largest aid donors and Pacific neighbors, Australia and New Zealand have an interest in addressing the eroding rule of law in Nauru… Read more >>
“In Lieu of a Binding Code in the South China Sea, a VFA for ASEAN,” by Rene Acosta
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on June 24 disclosed that the Philippines is in discussions with Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia on crafting a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which it hopes will eventually be signed with each of the individual states. Manila entering into joint security cooperation and training with three of its neighbors…. Read more >>
“Cambodia’s NGO Law: Legislation with Chinese Characteristics,” by John Juenemann
As the Cambodian government prepares to finalize the draft Law on Associations and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), which has faced severe criticisms from international rights groups, Cambodia’s civil society risks taking a giant leap backwards. The draft NGO law, if passed, might also signal that Cambodia is falling further into China’s orbit… Read more >>
“An Operational South China Sea Strategy for the United States,” by Marvin Ott
China’s campaign of overt territorial expansion in the South China Sea constitutes an increasingly urgent strategic challenge to the United States and its security partners in Southeast Asia. Absent effective countermeasures, the predictable future for the South China Sea will include China’s piecemeal seizure of additional territory… Read more >>
“By the Numbers: Thailand’s World Cup Triumph”
From a Southeast Asian perspective, the 2015 Women’s World Cup was most notable for the appearance of Thailand, the first team from the region to qualify for a World Cup, men’s or women’s, in 77 years. We put the performance of the Thai women’s team, nicknamed The War Elephants, into context by the numbers… Read more >>
The Leaderboard
Two-minute read on the real people that are making news
Gatot Nurmantyo, Nominee, Indonesian Military Commander-in-Chief
Gatot’s nomination has been somewhat controversial and unexpected. Traditionally, the position of military commander has rotated among the chiefs of each service. As the current military chief Moeldoko is from the army, this tradition suggested that his successor as commander-in-chief should be the air force chief of staff… Read more >>
Sarpin Rizaldi, South Jakarta District Court Judge
In a February pre-trial ruling, Sarpin invalidated the graft suspect status of then-police chief nominee Budi Gunawan. His ruling effectively took Budi’s case away from the jurisdiction of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Indonesia’s anti-graft agency, which had named Budi a suspect in a large-scale bribery scheme… Read more >>
CogitAsia Podcast
An engaging mix of news, analysis, and predictions from around the region
CogitAsia Podcast: June 26, 2015
This week Deborah Elms, with the Asia Trade Center in Singapore, talks about the status of the TPP and the future of trade integration in the Asia Pacific. Then Tim Rieser discusses how the U.S. Congress has funded a unique humanitarian program to help Vietnamese people affected by the use of toxins in Agent Orange during the Vietnam War… Listen >>
CogitAsia Podcast: June 19, 2015
On this week’s podcast, CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies Christopher Johnson joins to take stock of the U.S.-China relationship and previews what to expect at the bi-lateral Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) from June 23-24. Then we turn to Dr. Daniel Lucey to discuss South Korea’s response to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)… Listen >>
Multimedia
Innovative products to help explain the Asia Pacific
“U.S.-New Zealand: Going to the Next Level”
The CSIS Pacific Partners Initiative recently launched a new micro-site to explain the findings of a recent study on U.S.-New Zealand relations to the broader public. The study explores the chronology of U.S.-New Zealand relations, examines the two countries economic, political, and security interests, and offers recommendations to Wellington and Washington… Explore more >>
Recent Programs
CSIS programs are designed to expose you to policymakers through open and honest dialogue
Dynamic Philippine Economy: Growth, Reform, and Looking Ahead, June 24
CSIS brought 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 was on trade, investment, innovation, development, and other important business trends in the Philippines… Read more >>
Banyan Tree Leadership Forum with Senator Patrick Leahy, June 23
CSIS hosted a conversation with Patrick Leahy, ranking minority member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Relations, and Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh. Senator Leahy and Ambassador Vinh addressed the strategic importance of the United States working to address war legacies in Vietnam, specifically unexploded ordnance and Agent Orange… Read more >>
Upcoming Programs
CSIS programs are designed to expose you to policymakers through open and honest dialogue
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… Read more >>
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!
CVD 