Elusive Balances

Beschreibung

This book undertakes an in-depth examination of the dynamics of commitment in U.S.-Southeast Asia strategy. Drawing on cases including the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam and Washington’s pivot to Asia amid China’s growing regional role, it constructs an original balance of commitment model to explain continuity and change in U.S.-Southeast Asia policy. Balance of commitment goes beyond balance of power approaches to explains how translating Southeast Asia’s importance in U.S. thinking into actual commitments has proven challenging for policymakers as it requires simultaneously calibrating adjustments to power shifts, threat perceptions and resource extraction. The book applies the balance of commitment approach to several practical case studies, based on hundreds of conversations with policymakers and experts in the United States and Southeast Asia, personal experiences across nearly two decades and primary and secondary source material across a half-century. The findings suggest that the challenges of U.S. commitment to the region are rooted not simply in differences between administrations or divergences in outlook between Washington and regional capitals, but tough balancing acts for U.S. policymakers in domestic politics and wider foreign policy. As such, shaping U.S. strategy in Southeast Asia and calibrating and sustaining commitment requires not just appreciating Southeast Asia’s significance, but committing to the region in ways that manage structural aspects of U.S. thinking, capabilities and resourcing.Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran is an analyst and educator focused on Southeast Asia, politics and security issues in the Asia-Pacific and U.S. foreign policy in the region. He is currently a fellow at the Asia Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars based in Washington, D.C. and a senior columnist at The Diplomat, one of Asia’s leading current affairs magazines. A political scientist by training, he has previously held roles linked to think tanks, media, business, and government, conducting field research, consulting, writing and teaching on these issues for nearly two decades and widely publishing policy insights, research and commentary in the United States and in Southeast Asia.      
This book undertakes an in-depth examination of the dynamics of commitment in U.S.-Southeast Asia strategy. Drawing on cases including the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam and Washington’s pivot to Asia amid China’s growing regional role, it constructs an original balance of commitment model to explain continuity and change in U.S.-Southeast Asia policy. Balance of commitment goes beyond balance of power approaches to explains how translating Southeast Asia’s importance in U.S. thinking into actual commitments has proven challenging for policymakers as it requires simultaneously calibrating adjustments to power shifts, threat perceptions and resource extraction.    The book applies the balance of commitment approach to several practical case studies, based on hundreds of conversations with policymakers and experts in the United States and Southeast Asia, personal experiences across nearly two decades and primary and secondary source material across a half-century. The findings suggest that the challenges of U.S. commitment to the region are rooted not simply in differences between administrations or divergences in outlook between Washington and regional capitals, but tough balancing acts for U.S. policymakers in domestic politics and wider foreign policy. As such, shaping U.S. strategy in Southeast Asia and calibrating and sustaining commitment requires not just appreciating Southeast Asia’s significance, but committing to the region in ways that manage structural aspects of U.S. thinking, capabilities and resourcing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the structural challenges behind U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia Fleshes out a new framework for understanding and predicting U.S. commitment in Southeast Asia Includes original interviews and firsthand policy accounts delving into certain episodes in U.S.–SE Asia policy

Autor*in

Prashanth Parameswaran

Themen in »Elusive Balances«

US Southeast Asia relations US Indo-Pacific ASEAN Indo-Pacific Trump ASEAN US Commitment Asia US Asia strategy Pivot to Asia Trump Southeast Asia Obama Southeast Asia US ASEAN US Southeast Asia policy

Stimmen zu »Elusive Balances«

“A significant contribution to enhanced understanding of the various factors shaping US engagement in Southeast Asia. The book fulfills a critical current need …” (Dr. Marty Natalegawa, former Indonesia foreign minister)

“A smart book that will appeal to academics and policymakers alike and is a “must read” for both communities. International relations theorists will note Dr. Parameswaran’s foundational framework based on neoclassical realism and will appreciate his boldness in helping develop a balance of commitment model.” (The Honorable Randall Schriver, former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs)

“A contribution that puts Washington’s engagements in this promising but volatile region into a multilayered and multifaceted perspective.” (Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, founding director, Institute of Security and International Studies Thailand)

“I would use this book for any course I teach in the future on US relations with Southeast Asia.” (Ernest Z. Bower, founder, president and CEO, BowerGroupAsia)

“Appropriately titled and written by a specialist with wide-ranging professional experience in Southeast Asia, Elusive Balances provides a much-needed thorough assessment of U.S. policy.” (Professor Robert Sutter, former senior specialist at the National Intelligence Council, State Department and Congressional Research Service)

“The book is much needed contribution on U.S. strategy in Southeast Asia … the publication is timely as it raises issues on U.S. interests and the struggle to calibrate a sustainable policy.” (Dr. Sumathy Permal, head of maritime security and diplomacy, Maritime Institute of Malaysia)

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