Southeast Asia

Political and Economic Change: New Challenges to Stability in Southeast Asia

05-24-07 - Stimson Center - 12^th Floor Conference Room - 4:00-5:30

mekong river system at risk: hydropower and the development versus environment debate

Richard Cronin will discuss the conflict between development and the environment arising out the rush, by China and its Southeast Asian neighbors, to exploit the huge hydroelectric power potential of the Mekong River and its tributaries. The presentation will draw on findings from his recent three-week research visit to Southeast Asia. The trip included meetings at the Asian Development Bank’s headquarters in Manila; the ADB Environmental Operations Center in Bangkok; and the Mekong River Commission in Vientiane, Laos, and at Yunnan University in Kunming—the capital of China’s Yunnan Province.

Project EventsPhnom Penh, Cambodia August 14-15, 2006 Richard Cronin lectures to more than 600 Cambodian university students about U.S. Foreign Policy toward Southeast Asia

As part of its American Speaker Series, the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section hosted Dr. Richard Cronin for a series of lectures with university audiences in Phnom Penh. In his presentations, Cronin focused on where Cambodia fits into overall U.S. policy towards Southeast Asia, especially vis-a`-vis Cambodia's neighbors, and on the U.S.-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership and other current U.S. policy initiatives in Southeast Asia.

Summary of the events and photo gallery are at link]

Bangkok, Thailand

August 10-11,

Richard Cronin participates in "Thai-U.S. Relations: Forging a New Partnership in the 21st Century" Conference and makes a presentation on Thai-U.S. Economic Partnership

The Conference was organized by the Faculty of Political Science (Chulalongkorn University), the Thai Studies Program (Georgetown University) and Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Richard Cronin participated in Panel IV. In his dicussion, Cronin emphasized the underlying logic of the U.S.-Thai Alliance Relationship and Economic Cooperation. He also presented the pros and cons of the FTA between the United States and Thailand and argued for the advantages of a U.S.-ASEAN TIFA.

Draft paper presented by Richard Cronin is at [link]

7-12-2006

Stimson Center hosts a Roundtable Discussion on PNTR and Vietnam's Accession to the WTO

On July 12, 2006, the Henry L. Stimson Center held a roundtable discussion entitled "PNTR and Deepening Vietnam-U.S. Ties: Historical Breakthrough or Geopolitical Continuity?". After three presentations by Brantly Womack, Frances Zwenig and Alexander Vuving, the discussion was moderated by Richard Cronin.

Background information is at [link]

Summary of the seminar is at [link]

4-6-2006

Stimson Center and US State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) co-hosts a Workshop on Japan and East Asian Integration with Kenneth Pyle and Richard Cronin

On April 6, 2006, the Henry L. Stimson Center and US State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) held a workshop on Japan and East Asian Integration moderated by INR/RES Program Manager, Ms Corazon Foley. Two workshop papers were presented by Dr. Kenneth Pyle, the Henry M. Jackson Professor of History and Asian Studies at the University of Washington, and Stimson Senior Associate Dr. Richard Cronin.

Papers presented by Dr. Pyle and Dr. Cronin are at [link].

3-15-2006

Briefing on US-ASEAN Relations and the Political Situation in Thailand

On March 15, 2006, Henry L. Stimson Center held a briefing on US-ASEAN political, economic, and security relations; China-ASEAN economic integration and other aspects of East Asian regionalism; and the Thai political crisis.

This briefing and roundtable discussion drew on information and perspectives that Dr. Richard Cronin acquired during his March 5-11 trip to Bangkok, where he made a presentation to a panel on US-ASEAN trade and investment issues at the US-ASEAN Business Council 2006 Regional Board Meeting and Forum. At the moment, Dr. Cronin has just returned from observing the anti-Thaksin rally.

Dr. Cronin was joined in the discussion by Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Associate Professor of International Relations at Chulalongkorn University. Dr. Panitan commented on the current political crisis as well as the growing trade and investment ties between Thailand and other more industrialized ASEAN countries and China.

2-9-2006

Richard Cronin recommends the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement as a tool to strategically rejuvinate US economic influence in Asia in the The Wall Street Journal Asia

See the article here.

1-24-2006

Richard Cronin made a presentation on a panel on security issues at Symposium on ASEAN-US Cooperation, organized by the Institute of International Education (IIE)

10-22-2005

Vietnam-China-United States Trilateral Dialogue in Nha Trang, Vietnam

Stimson Center Senior Associates Alan Romberg and Richard Cronin participated as members of the American delegation to a Vietnam-China-United States Trilateral Dialogue, organized by the US Asia Foundation and the Vietnamese Institute of International Relations, in Nha Trang, Vietnam during October 20-22, 2005. Notes from Richard Cronin's summary presentation on the final panel and Alan Romberg's paper on traditional security challenges are at [link].

10-14-2005

Richard Cronin Speaks at Conference in Vietnam on the Role of Legislatures in Oversight of Public Finance

See the article at UNDP Media Releases page.

9-21-2005

Southeast Asia and 'Rising' China: A Political Economy Perspective on US Interests and Policies

On September 21, 2005, the Southeast Asia Project held an invitation-only roundtable discussion to assess the nature and implications of the growing economic integration of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with China. The discussion addressed broader US policy issues presented by China's fast expanding regional role and influence; challenges to individual Southeast Asia countries arising from increased competitive pressure on politically sensitive economic sectors; and specific U.S. initiatives to promote expandedtrade and investment ties with ASEAN, including additional free trade agreements (FTAs) and export promotion programs.

Guest discussants included Her Excellency Chang Heng Chee, Ambassador of Singapore; Dr. Catharin Dalpino, Visiting Associate Professor, GeorgetownUniversity; and Mr. William Zarit, Regional Director, East Asia/Pacific, US Foreign Commercial Service.

The participants in program included Southeast Asia and China specialists from local academic and policy research institutions, representatives of the international business community, and the US government officials involved with Southeast Asian policy issues.The discussion was held on a not-for-attribution basis to facilitate free and open exchange of views.

Project Director Richard Cronin's remarks are at [link].

7-29-2005

Inaugural Event of the New Southeast Asia Project -- Roundtable on the July 23-29 ASEAN Meetings in Vientiane

The new Southeast Asia project held its inaugural event on July 29, 2005, a luncheon roundtable discussion focused on the annual ministerial-level meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that took place from July 23-29 in Vientiane, Laos. The not-for-attribution discussion among Washington-based Southeast and East Asian specialists ranged over several developments with potentially important significance for US interests and policy goals in Southeast Asia, as well as for the future relevance of the 10-country regional organization. Issues addressed included US foreign policy priorities, Burma's decision to forego its scheduled rotational role as Chair, China's growing regional role and activism, the seeming decline of ASEAN's influence and standing, and the violent Islamic separatist movement in Southern Thailand.