What explains the alignment choices of Southeast Asian states amidst the US-China rivalry and what are the implications of these choices for the region?
One of the most pressing foreign policy challenges that the ten countries of Southeast Asia (ASEAN-10) faces today and in the coming years is how to position themselves between the US and China as the geopolitical rivalry between the two superpowers intensifies. Most in Southeast Asia claim they would prefer not to have to choose between the two superpowers, but that position will become increasingly difficult to maintain as the US and China pressure states in the region to align with them. This talk will address three key questions related to this strategic dilemma: What do the strategic alignments of the ASEAN-10 look like today? What explains their alignment choices? And what are the implications of the latter for Southeast Asia, the superpowers, and the region? Professor Khong shares insights from his Alignment Index created to tap the alignment movements of the ASEAN-10 over the last 30 years.
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Southeast Asia between the Superpowers