Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Negotiating and Implementation Challenges for the US

As the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) negotiations intensify, significant challenges await the United States (US), both in successfully concluding an agreement that achieves US objectives, as well as ensuring successful implementation of the agreement once concluded.

“Europe in Review” September-2023 Edition

News about Current Developments on Democracy, the Rule of Law, Social Market Economy, and the Cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia

This monthly e-newsletter is provided by the German-Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG) and supported by KAS Thailand. In this issue, readers will get updated about a breach in Russia’s southern defence line, BRICS’ three-day Summit, Germany’s developments in legal provisions, and other news.

EU Approach to Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: from Strategy to Practice

Phase 3: The EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in a New Context

Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to implementing the international community’s global agenda. Over the years, the EU has consistently made significant contributions in the region in terms of development cooperation. The EU Council Conclusions on an EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific launched in April 2021 affirms that the EU should reinforce its strategic focus, presence and actions in the Indo-Pacific with the aim of contributing to the stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development of the region, based on the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law. In that context, a 3-phase-research on “the EU Approach to Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: from Strategy to Practice” has been conducted by USSH Hanoi with sponsorship from KAS Vietnam. Its aim is to learn about the European Union’s approach to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and impacts on regional countries.

Impact of regional trade agreements on the IPEF

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) seeks to establish the United States (US) as the primary rule-setter in the Asia Pacific (APAC), a position it has ceded to China in recent years. The reciprocal benefits for the APAC are not so evident. Many in the region are not keen to choose sides and as a trade pact, it compares poorly with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Expert discussion: KAS-PSR discuss findings of Public Opinion Poll No. 89

30 years after Oslo Agreement, conditions worse than before

On September 13, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) presented the findings of the 89 joint Public Opinion Poll carried out in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Palestine at our office in Ramallah.

Foreign Relations Survey (Wave IV)– Summer 2023

This report summarizes the findings of the survey and compares the results with previously available data from NAMA surveys and other published studies to build time series.

Japan’s Economic Realism and Approach to Indo-Pacific Engagement, Resilience, and Rule-Setting

This paper examines Japan’s strategic priorities pertaining to the IPEF, their connection to Japan’s relationship with China and the US, and the actions being taken for successful implementation of the IPEF.

Regional normalisation – Syrian perspectives

Turkish and Arab attempts to establish a new foundation for their relationship with Syria are viewed with concern especially in areas outside of the regime’s control.

Both the Arab League and Turkey have initiated a process of normalizing ties with the Syrian regime: While the Arab track, led by Saudi Arabia, has received wide international attention and media coverage, in Syria itself the Turkish efforts are monitored much more closely due to Turkey’s active role in Syrian political and security affairs. Yet, as of now, none of the two initiatives have achieved any significant progress, which can mainly be attribute to the Assad regime’s unwillingness to make any concessions. Nonetheless, non-state actors in Northern Syria remain apprehensive. Furthermore, amidst an ever-worsening economic crisis in Syria, unrest and demonstrations are also flawing up in regime-held territories.

30 years of the Oslo Accords 

Will there be a new upheaval in the Middle East Conflict? 

30 years after the historic handshake between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat in the garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., the peace process has come to a standstill; the political majorities in Israel and an escalating spiral of violence in the Palestinian Territories put hope of a diplomatic solution with two coexisting states into the distant future. Rather, after 30 years of the Oslo system, the question arises: How much longer will these agreements be viable? 

Thailand's New Government - Coalition of Arch Enemies Opposes Political Change

The priorities of the new head of government, Srettha Thavisin, are in the economic sphere, also for Thailand's foreign policy

The May 14 parliamentary elections in Thailand were deemed a success for the democratic process by all observers, with the Electoral Commission recognizing a large victory for the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which became the largest faction in the House of Representatives. The unelected Senate – appointed by the former military government – prevented the MFP from forming a government, while the Constitutional Court suspended its leader Pita Limcharoenrat over an alleged breach of election rules. The outcome of the 2023 electoral cycle reflects the balance of power in Thailand under the current constitution, under which conservative elites and the military continue to exert control over the political process in order to protect their interests. This election demonstrates what appears to be their collective goal -- maintain control over political outcomes, while creating enough democratic space to ensure that Thailand saves face internationally and its citizens refrain from demonstrating in the streets.