Tag Archive for Thailand

Remembering the Past

By Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. Thailand, on 19 September 2010, marked the 4th anniversary of the military coup. While remembering the past, the pro-Thaksin red-shirted members launched three-day demonstrations both in Bangkok and…

2nd US ASEAN Summit: What's on the Menu in Manhattan?

US President Barack Obama will host eight of the ten leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)[i] in New York on Friday, September 24, 2010 at the 2nd US ASEAN Summit. The meeting underlines renewed American policy energy being invested in Southeast Asia. Headlines from the discussion should focus on three areas …

US ASEAN Summit in New York – Gut Check Time

“Exploring the implications of holding a Summit without SBY or postponing the Summit should be a sobering proposition to all the leaders involved. Here’s to everyone doing what is needed to make the meeting work. It’s gut check time for the US ASEAN relationship as we approach September 24 in New York.”

US ASEAN Summit in the Big Apple

The stakes are high in New York, and the fact the 2nd US ASEAN Summit is taking place is significant. It is a strong signal that the US is finding its way to more comprehensive engagement in Asia and following through on its commitments to try to build an enduring Asia strategy using ASEAN as a foundation.

Absent in Danang: Urgent Need for A US Trade Policy in Asia

The gap in US strategy for intensifying its engagement in Southeast Asia is clearly trade. While the United States is starting to connect the dots diplomatically and on security architecture, our trade professionals, some of the most hard-core, experienced Southeast Asia hands in the Administration, are essentially benched as they wait for political and policy decisions to put the US trade leadership back into the game.

Answer: Washington, DC

The 2nd US ASEAN Summit needs to be held in Washington, DC. When inviting ten foreign leaders from a strategically vital region to meet the President of the United States, symbolism and form are vitally important. The Washington choice sends the right messages at the right time.

The New Class of US Ambassadors in ASEAN

The US Ambassadors to the ASEAN countries rotate every three years or so. For the most part, with the exception of Singapore, they tend to be experienced career foreign service officers. A new class is making its way into the region. They a relatively young group with strong resumes and solid experience.