Brookings: Topics - Southeast Asia

Foreign Policy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:32 GMT

The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.

Obama Goes to Asia: Understanding the President’s Trip

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 06, 2009, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

In mid-November, President Barack Obama began his first trip to Asia as president with a visit to Tokyo. He also traveled to China, South Korea and Singapore, where took part in meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Prior to the president's trip, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies and the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings hosted a discussion of President Obama’s trip and the issues he was likely to face.

The Jihadists Strike Back in Indonesia

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The attacks in Indonesia on July 17 remind us that vigilance must be maintained at all times against Al Qaeda’s varied affiliates and franchises, writes Saban Center Senior Fellow Bruce Riedel. Even when they appeared defeated in recent years, particularly in Indonesia or in Saudi Arabia, these groups can recover and strike again.

An Institutional Gap for Disaster IDPs

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Climate change is expected to sharply increase the number and severity of natural disasters, displacing millions on all continents. Roberta Cohen argues that the international community needs to recognize "disaster IDPs" and establish new institutional arrangements to protect their human rights.

Displacement, Natural Disasters, and Human Rights

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the course of the past year, over 400 natural disasters took 16,000 lives, affected close to 250 million people and displaced many millions. But many humanitarian actors continue to see natural disasters and those displaced by them as marginal to the central thrust of humanitarian action: responding to those affected by conflict.

2008 U.S.-Islamic World Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 13, 2008, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
October 14, 2008, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

On October 13-14, The Brookings Institution in partnership with The Asia Foundation and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, brought together 50 key leaders from Southeast Asia, the broader Muslim world, and the United States for open and frank dialogue directed at developing actionable programs for government, civil society, and the private sector.

If the Muslim World Could Vote

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hady Amr discusses the current mood in Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, and its people's reaction to the U.S. presidential race. Amr states that, in their view, Malaysians are looking forward to the return of U.S. leadership which uses all facets of diplomacy instead of force to assert power in the world.

The Burma Cyclone and the Responsibility to Protect

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In 2005, the international community adopted a new concept, the responsibility to protect (R2P) but its meaning and application are still unclear. The United Nations ruled out applying it to Burma, but Roberta Cohen argues that the denial of access to cyclone survivors could well have been an R2P case. Much work needs to be done to clarify the concept and mobilize international support around its implementation.

Soft Power in East Asia

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 17, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On June 17, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS) at Brookings and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs hosted a seminar to announce and examine the findings of a groundbreaking public opinion survey on the current and potential use of soft power in East Asia by the United States, China, Japan and South Korea.

The United Nations Can Save Burma

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the aftermath of tropical cyclone Nargis, Ivo Daalder and Paul Stares note "the military junta in Burma is failing the most basic responsibility of any government to take care of its citizens." They suggest that the United Nations must pass a resolution demanding the Burmese government to immediately accept offers of international aid without interference.

Aid Strategy for Burma's Cyclone Victims

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As the disaster caused by tropical cyclone Nargis continues to unfold in Burma, Michael O'Hanlon offers suggestions for dealing with the crisis. He believes the UN should appoint an aid coordinator to Burma, and that political activities against the government should be put on hold during this time of great need.

Disaster in Myanmar: Key Challenges for the International Community

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With more than a million people killed, missing, or uprooted by the cyclone that struck Myanmar/Burma on May 3, international aid groups and foreign governments are mobilizing food, water and other assistance for the country. Lex Rieffel, who is currently studying the Asian perspective on Myanmar/Burma, addresses some of the key policy challenges.

Malaysian Elections: Rejection of the Usual Politics

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fifty years of political domination by Malaysia’s National Front coalition eroded in the recent Malaysian elections as voters helped the opposition gain more seats in parliament. While Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi remains in power, the elections mark a new day for the country, which is America’s 10th largest trading partner. Wing Thye Woo examines the election in depth and recommends a reform agenda for Malaysia.

The Asian Path Toward Helping Burma

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

With the leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries gathering in Singapore for their summit meeting, Brookings expert Lex Rieffel and David Steinberg of Georgetown University, argue that the U.S. government’s agenda on Burma would be better served by letting its Asian partners lead on the critical issues.

Out of Business and On Budget : The Challenge of Military Financing in Indonesia

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Defense#Defense budget and appropriations

Democratic Governance in Indonesia: Obstacles to Ending the Military's Off-Budget Funding

Tue, 22 May 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 22, 2007, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Made for Export: Emigration and Higher Education in the Philippines

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Neil Ruiz presentation on higher education and the labor export policy in the Philippines

Old Enemies Become Friends: U.S. and Vietnam

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

For two governments that fought each other in a long, bitter war, the steady improvement in U.S.-Vietnam relations in recent years has been a remarkable development. At a time when America's relations with some old friends are strained, our friendly ties with this old enemy must seem surprising to many people.

The Tsunami Report Card

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Karl F. Inderfurth, David Fabrycky, and Stephen P. Cohen, Foreign Policy Magazine (December 2005)

Save Pakistan from 'Donor Fatigue'

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Karl F. Inderfurth, David Fabrycky, and Stephen P. Cohen, Christian Science Monitor (11/17/05)

National Human Rights Institutions and Internally Displaced Persons

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 26, 2005, 9:00 AM to 05:00 PM
October 28, 2005, 9:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Although many National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), especially in developing countries, lack capacity, they are beginning to increasingly focus attention on the issue of internal displacement. In countries with internal displacement, NHRIs have a valuable role to play in protecting and promoting the human rights of IDPs.

Between the Global and the Local: Islamism, the Middle East, and Indonesia

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Against the background of the 'war on terror', many people have come to view Islamism as a monolithic ideological movement spreading from the center of the Muslim world, the Middle East, to Muslim countries around the globe. To borrow a phrase from Abdullah Azzam, the legendary jihadist who fought to expel the Soviet Union from Afghanistan in the 1980s, many today see all Islamists as fellow travellers in a global fundamentalist caravan. This paper evaluates the truth of that perception. It does so by examining the spread of two broad categories of Islamic thinking and activism—the more politically focused Islamism and more religiously focused 'neo-fundamentalism'—from the Middle East to Indonesia, a country often cited as an example of a formerly peaceful Muslim community radicalized by external influences.

Malaysia

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Excerpt by Elina Noor from Asia-Pacific Security Outlook 2005

Financial Liberalization, Financial Sector Development and Growth: Evidence from Malaysia

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by James B. Ang and Warwick J. McKibbin (June 2005)

Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Situations of Natural Disaster: A Working Visit to Asia

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In the spring of 2005, the RSG undertook a visit to the countries affected by the December 2004 tsunami. His findings are presented in this report.

After the Tsunami, Flexible Debt Relief is Needed

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lex Rieffel, Financial Times (London) (1/14/05)

Indonesia's Quiet Revolution

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Lex Rieffel, Foreign Affairs, September/October 2004

Indonesia in Transition

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lex Rieffel (4/1/04)

East Asian Economic Regionalism

Fri, 12 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Something new is happening across East Asia. A region notable for its lack of internal economic links is discussing regional cooperation on trade, investment, and exchange rates. The U.S. government must decide how to respond to these developments in

Remove a Vestige of Vietnam War

Thu, 24 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin Dalpino and Edward Gresser in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (4/24/03)

Fear of America in Southeast Asia

Tue, 25 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin Dalpino, Fellow, foreign-policy, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, February 25, 2003

America's Soft Reply to the Bali Bombing

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin E. Dalpino, Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the Financial Times, October 16, 2002

Making the Anti-Terrorism Pact Work

Tue, 13 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin Dalpino, Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Straits Times, August 13, 2002

Listen to What Moderate Muslims Say

Mon, 29 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin Dalpino, Fellow and Bridget Welsh in the International Herald Tribune (July 29, 2002)

Let the Locals Combat Terrorism

Thu, 28 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin Dalpino, Fellow, the Brookings Institution, and David Steinberg, Director of Asian Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, in the International Herald Tribune, March 28, 2002

America At War: Southeast Asia

Thu, 24 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Catharin Dalpino, Fellow, the Brookings Institution, on washingtonpost.com, January 24, 2002

The War on Terror in Southeast Asia

Wed, 19 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Catharin Dalpino, Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, December 19, 2001

Indonesia at the Crossroads

Sat, 01 Sep 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #86, by Catharin E. Dalpino, September 2001

Deferring Democracy : Promoting Openness in Authoritarian Regimes

Wed, 29 Nov 2000 00:00:00 GMT

This book takes a fresh look at the prospects for political change in authoritarian countries like China, Iran and Vietnam, and argues that immediate opportunities exist to advance political liberalization, with the possibility that democratization w

President Clinton's Far East Trip

Thu, 09 Nov 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 09, 2000 at 12:00 AM

Scratch One Rogue State?

Fri, 13 Oct 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Scratch One Rogue State? Opinion in Dong-a Ilbo, October 13, 2000, by Joel S. Wit, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution

Managing Financial and Corporate Distress : Lessons from Asia

Sun, 06 Aug 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Managing Financial and Corporate Distress: Lessons from Asia, stands out from other works on the East Asian crisis by moving beyond macroeconomic assessments to offer an institutional treatment of the microeconomic aspects of the corporate and

Weathering the Storm : Taiwan, Its Neighbors, and the Asian Financial Crisis

Tue, 27 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

In this timely volume, leading development economists examine four principal economies in East AsiaIndonesia, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailandand compare their experiences during the financial crises of 1997-98.

The Vietnam War in Hindsight

Thu, 27 Apr 2000 00:00:00 GMT

The Vietnam War in Hindsight, Opinion on IntellectualCapital.com, April 27, 2000, by Richard N. Haass, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution

Unhappy Anniversary: The Consequences of Vietnam for American Policy and Society

Tue, 18 Apr 2000 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 18, 2000, 9:00 AM to 11:45 AM

Financial Markets and Development : The Crisis in Emerging Markets

Thu, 23 Sep 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Market practitioners, policymakers, development specialists, and academics from developed and emerging market countries examine the underlying causes of the Asian financial crisis and ways of preventing future crises in emerging markets.

Democratization Isn't an Overnight Process

Mon, 31 Aug 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Democratization Isn't an Overnight Process, The Los Angeles Times, August 31, 1998, by Catharin Dalpino. Although the precise mathematical results of the Cambodian election last month remain clouded, the political outcome is clear. A plurality for Hu

The Future of Asia in the World Economy

Sat, 01 Aug 1998 00:00:00 GMT

This book is a calmer look at Asian economies than has usually been produced in the midst of the current frenzy about financial crises among the Asian Tigers, and a somewhat more reassuring one (without being overly optimistic).

Asia Is Still Our Future: A Considered Opinion

Mon, 01 Jun 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by Walter F. Mondale (Summer 1998)

Out of the Ashes? Southeast Asia's Struggle through Crisis

Mon, 01 Jun 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by Stephen Parker (Summer 1998)

Hearings on the Cambodian Elections and Beyond

Thu, 26 Feb 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Catharin E. Dalpino on the Cambodian Elections and Beyond before the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, Committee on Interational Relations, U.S. House of Representatives, on February 26, 1998.

"Tough Nuts to Crack"

Wed, 28 Jan 1998 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 28, 1998, 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM

The Brookings Project and the U.S. Committee for Refugees convened a meeting of experts from international organizations, NGOs and research institutions to discuss strategies for dealing with situations of internal displacement where access is particularly difficult. Analysts from the U.S. Committee for Refugees have written country case studies on Turkey, Burma and India, among others, which are now available on the USCR website.

Community-Building with Pacific Asia

Mon, 01 Dec 1997 00:00:00 GMT

The thrust of this book is the need for &community-building& with the emerging East and Southeast Asia on the part of the &Trilateral& areas--Japan, North America, and Europe. &If Pacific Asia joins the Trilateral world as a region of economic prospe