Southeast Asia has become one of the most important strategic regions in global geopolitical gamesmanship. For the US to win the hearts and minds of countries in the region, Washington must listen more, be humble and realise that it is one of several actors. In addition, the US must be consistent when it comes to engagement with the region.
These were among the valuable comments made by US experts with long experience in Asia. “Prioritising Southeast Asia in American China Policy”, which was released last week by the Asia Society, was a good read with doable recommendations. Although some were not new, the way in which the report emphasised the US-Southeast Asia ties without concentrating on the US-China paradigm was refreshing. It is not easy for American scholars to conclude that America should forget its past “supremacy”, because the world today has changed from unipolar…
