Over the past decade Asia has moved into the spotlight of international relations. Today’s security experts are more preoccupied with developments within this region than they are with any other part of the world. The massive shift in wealth and power from West to East has contributed to this preoccupation. But so has the many points of confrontation within the Asian region itself: On the Korean peninsula; between China and Japan; between China and some ASEAN countries; or between India and its neighbours.
This session will explore the contradictory development of international relations in Asia, with a special focus on the Southeast Asian region. Among the key questions are: What are they key challenges to ASEAN? How will the relationship between China and Southeast Asia develop in the future? What is the future role of the United States in Asia? And how will on-going conflicts in other parts of Asia – Korea, China-Japan, India-Pakistan – influence developments in Southeast Asia?