Showing 1 - 9 of 9
US-Russia détente will impact Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/03/2025
» There is a blessing in disguise in the uncertainties caused by the "American First" policy by US President Donald Trump. That is, the long-awaited US-Russia détente has finally happened, removing the dark clouds hovering over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (Asean) ties with Eurasia's superpower since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The strained relations have impeded the political and security cooperation between the regional bloc and Russia.
7 moves to shape 'Future Ready Asean'
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/10/2024
» Seven takeaways from the Vientiane summit will lay the groundwork for boosting the incoming Asean chair's profile and deliverability. These impetuses mean Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will have his work cut out in heralding a new era of "Future Ready Asean".
Rebooting the Asean Regional Forum
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/07/2024
» When Asean foreign ministers met in Singapore in 1994, they all concurred that dialogue and consultations on political and security issues among major powers and Asean members would be essential in preserving peace and stability in the Asean region. A year later, the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) held its inaugural meeting, which took place in Bangkok and had 18 members, including the Asean 10.
SEA eyes next 20 years of US-China ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/05/2024
» What will Southeast Asia be like over the next two decades? Given the unpredictable geopolitical situation, the region will certainly maintain its strategic autonomy in ways that mitigate the ripple effects of the emerging new international order. The multipolar world will be a new ballgame that Southeast Asia has to grapple with. Interestingly, the region's countries also realise that the competition between the US and China is not likely to subside given the tit-for-tat measures they have been conducting with each other. Under such circumstances, what role or leadership can Southeast Asia provide under the Asean roof to ensure that the region will not be marginalised or weaponised? To be precise, how can Asean avoid becoming a pawn in the US-China whirlpool?
Thailand revamps Middle East strategy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/02/2022
» After 32 years of frosty relations, the dramatic normalisation of Thai-Saudi diplomatic relations have far-reaching implications for both countries' diplomatic pathways in the world's most volatile region.
Vietnam's dual foreign policy strategy
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/01/2020
» Finally, Vietnam has fulfilled its long-held dream of becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2020-2021) at the same time as the country chairs 10-member Asean. These dual strategies have high diplomatic value in propelling Vietnam to become a leading member in the future Indo-Pacific scheme of things.
Understanding Japan's Indo-Pacific initiative
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/04/2019
» After making painstaking revisions in the past 18 months, Japan has come out with the region's most comprehensive policy -- the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative. Tokyo's new framework calls for closer cooperation among countries in Asia and Africa, the world's two most dynamic continents. With this plan, Japan has put its 60 years of post-war diplomatic and economic developmental experience into a single coherent policy that might well last throughout the 21st century.
Elevating the TAC as a global code of conduct
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/01/2019
» A reference of Asean's most well-known regional code of conduct, known as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), in the Chiang Mai retreat's statement, deserves recognition. It was intriguing, coming at this juncture, as to why it deserved a distinctive paragraph with 90 words. Indeed, the TAC has been the life and soul of Asean since its founding in 1967.
Waiting for a more proactive Asean
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/01/2019
» For the rest of 2019, Asean cannot be shy and hide in a corner. The regional and global environment requires the grouping to be more vigilant and proactive in ways that would promote better dialogue and cooperation among member countries and key dialogue partners.