Jun 06, 2019

While unable to alter Duterte’s diplomatic strategy towards China, the influential and largely autonomous Philippine defense establishment is conducting a parallel China policy of its own. The result is a dualistic foreign policy, combining both engagement and deterrence.

Apr 29, 2019

The Filipino president is facing domestic backlash over his Beijing-friendly policies amid crucial midterm elections, which serve as a referendum on Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency.

Mar 19, 2019

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed has demonstrated himself to be a truly independent-minded leader. With an inexplicable audacity to stand up to both the West and East in order to protect the interest of smaller nations, he very well may be the last titan of Asia.

Feb 26, 2019

A Philippine subsidiary to a shipbuilding giant recently declared bankruptcy. Seeing what happened to Sri Lanka’s prized Hambantota port, some Filipino strategists fear that the Subic Bay Freeport Zone might suffer the same fate.

Jan 29, 2019

The Philippines has announced that it will review the 1951 US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, raising questions about the future of the Philippines’s relations with the U.S. and China. The review, however, also provides a unique opportunity for the two allies to upgrade their partnership.

Dec 18, 2018

Since coming to power, President Xi has sought to charm estranged neighbors through an enticing package of infrastructure investments and development assistance, and the Philippines has emerged as the crowning jewel of this ‘peripheral diplomacy’ strategy.

Nov 26, 2018

Indonesia grows increasingly wary of an expansionist China.

Oct 24, 2018

Amid American retrenchment and Chinese expansion in Asia, the middle powers of the region are moving to reshape the region in their own image.

Oct 03, 2018

Though trade diversions from the Sino-American trade war have benefited some Asian nations, much of the region, so far, has greeted it with trepidation. There is increasing worry about the unintended consequences not only for regional trade linkages, where China plays a pivotal role, but also the decades-long cold peace in Asia, which is looking increasingly fragile.

Sep 06, 2018

Mohammad Mahathir’s campaign rhetoric may have been initially regarded as election fodder, but his government’s strong stance on BRI projects illustrates the Malaysian prime minister may be leading his country down a new path.