The U.S.-ASEAN Partnership in the Indo-Pacific | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Back to asiasociety.org
  • Topics
    • Prosperity
    • Security
    • Sustainability
  • Countries & Regions
    • East Asia
    • Southeast Asia
    • South Asia
    • Central Asia
    • West Asia
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • ASPI Notes
  • Initiatives
  • Watch & Listen
    • Video
    • Podcasts
  • Events
    • AsiaX
    • Past Events
  • About
    • Mission
    • How We Work
    • Institutional Independence
    • Staff
    • Fellows and Advisors
    • Network of Experts
    • Supporters
    • News
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Schwartz Book Award
    • Join Our Email List
  • Support Us
Search
Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Topics
    • Prosperity
    • Security
    • Sustainability
  • Countries & Regions
    • East Asia
    • Southeast Asia
    • South Asia
    • Central Asia
    • West Asia
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • ASPI Notes
  • Initiatives
  • Watch & Listen
    • Video
    • Podcasts
  • Events
    • AsiaX
    • Past Events
  • About
    • Mission
    • How We Work
    • Institutional Independence
    • Staff
    • Fellows and Advisors
    • Network of Experts
    • Supporters
    • News
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Schwartz Book Award
    • Join Our Email List
  • Support Us

The U.S.-ASEAN Partnership in the Indo-Pacific

Lindsey Ford in The National Bureau of Asian Research

jpeg

(SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)


February 19th, 2019 by Lindsey Ford

On February 19, ASPI Director of Political Security Affairs Lindsey Ford penned a brief for the National Bureau of Asian Research's series, Key U.S. Policy Issues in the Indo-Pacific for the 116th Congress. Experts Frank Januzzi, Walter Lohman, and Francisco Bencosme also contributed briefs. 

In her briefing, Ford details ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Indo-Pacific and outlines four troubling trends in the region: rising repression and authoritarian tendencies, wavering confidence in U.S. leadership, ASEAN disunity, and differing strategic priorities. Ford asserts that the primary challenge for U.S. policymakers and the 116th Congress will be to sustain U.S. engagement and leadership in the region given the emerging trends. Her recommendations for the 116th Congress are aimed at increasing U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific for strategic and economic reasons. The recommendations include:

  • Call upon the administration to publicly articulate a Southeast Asia strategy and nominate a U.S. ambassador to ASEAN.
  • Support the recently passed Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, which seeks to develop a long-term strategic vision for the United States in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Enhance funding for civil-society programs that strengthen judiciaries, improve press freedoms, create media literacy, and engage students.
  • Take delegations to meet with regional leaders and participate in events such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, as well as encourage local officials to take trade and investment research trips.

Read the full briefing here.

Downloads

  • The U.S.-ASEAN Partnership in the Indo-Pacific.pdf (PDF, 696.01 KB)
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Young Leaders
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center for Global Education
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • China Learning Initiatives
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2022 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC