ASEAN and the US.Perspectives of Southeast Asia on Relations with the US since Donald Trump

Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency, US foreign relations with many countries and regions of the world have significantly altered. Examples of this include the escalating trade conflict with China and the marked departure from the policies of the Obama administration. This is despite the fact that the US under Trump recognizes the importance of Southeast Asia, especially regarding China. How have US relations with ASEAN developed since Trump, and how are US priorities shaping up in times of weakened multilateralism, impending arms races, and escalating tensions in ASEAN and its individual member states? The following is an illustration of the US’ ambivalent role in the region.

The 33rd ASEAN Summit - A Review

It is difficult these days to go about one’s daily business in the popular shopping area around Singapore's Suntec City Convention Centre. The cause of the congestion is the second summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018, together with a number of additional meetings with selected external partners ASEAN traditionally hosts in the margins of this biannual summit. The most important among the additional meetings being held this year is the East Asia Summit (EAS). Incidentally, it was in the same building, Suntec City Convention Centre, where members of the newly formed World Trade Organization came together for the first time in 1996 - just months before the region entered the biggest economic crisis in its history.

Regierungskrise in Sri Lanka

Am 26. Oktober 2018 zog der srilankische Präsident Maithripala Sirisena seine United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) aus der Koalitionsregierung mit der United National Party (UNP) zurück, entließ Premierminister Ranil Wickramasinghe (UNP) und berief an seiner Stelle den ehemaligen Präsidenten Mahinda Rajapaksa zum neuen Premierminister Sri Lankas. Es handelt sich dabei um das jüngste Kapitel in einer Geschichte wechselnder Allianzen zwischen den drei Männern, die seit Jahren die Politik in Sri Lanka maßgeblich mitgestalten. Eine überwiegende Anzahl von Verfassungsexperten innerhalb und außerhalb des Landes hält den Machtwechsel allerdings für nicht verfassungskonform, da er ohne Einbeziehung des Parlaments vollzogen wurde.

Activities Report 2017

We are pleased to present you our activities of the year 2017. It provides an overview of the topics we worked on, our publications and the various dialogues we have organized in the year.

ASEAN@50

Celebrating five decades of regional stability

In 1984, then French President Mitterrand and German Chancellor Kohl held hands on the World War I battlefields of Verdun. This great symbol of reconciliation and benevolence between two former adversaries highlighted a new found European friendship; a new peaceful European order, which culminated in the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for the common project, the European Union (EU). The European integration process is without a doubt one of the great achievements of the 20th century; but it is not the only one.

Policy Paper No. 4 "Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Asia and Europe"

Countering violent extremism and terrorism has been a top priority of governments in Asia and Europe for many years. Terrorist cells posed a severe threat to home security, even before the emergence of Daesh. However, as a consequence of Asian and European citizens joining Daesh, terrorists have been able to establish networks among fighters from both regions. It has thus become imperative that governments from Asia and Europe enhance their collaboration and coordination in all dimensions of counter-terrorism efforts.

Activities Report 2016

We are pleased to present you our activities of the year 2016. It provides an overview of the topics we worked on, our publications and the various dialogues we have organized in the year.

Countering Daesh Extremism - European and Asian Responses

Panorama Insight Into Asian and European Affairs

We are pleased to present this special issue of Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs Countering Daesh Extremism - European and Asian Responses which has been published in collaboration with The International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Policy briefing No. 3 "2016 Status of Women Empowerment in Asia"

Asian Women Parliamentarian Caucus (AWPC) Meeting Outcomes at the 4th International Women Deliver Conference

The global gender equality gap persists for many reasons and it primarily centers on i) the lack of funding, ii) data and iii) inclusion of women in the processes and institutions that matter for sustainable development. In this policy briefing, we address the political actors on why and how they may approach these three main areas of intervention when it comes to normalizing and campaigning for gender equality in political parties, policy and institutional processes as well as civic spaces.

"Regional integration does not come naturally"

A KAS.DE interview with Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy about the reactions in Southeast Asia to the Brexit referendum

The result of the British EU referendum shook not only Europe; it also had notable impacts on the Asian financial markets. “Southeast Asia will draw its lessons from the European developments,” Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy says in an interview with kas.de. The region is characterised by conflicts and could benefit from more cooperation and a new security network.