Security and Defence

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a cosmopolitan group drawing from diverse ethnic, historical, and political backgrounds. If there is one thing that unites all ten states, it is that change is occurring at a lightning-fast pace.

Having come a long way internationally in its eight short years of independence, the country now needs to do the same domestically – and show both the international community and its own people that it is ready for the difficult road ahead.

The challenge for the US and its partners in the region is appreciating China’s complex history and the difficulties the CCP now finds itself in while also trying to develop negotiating space.

The failed coup attempt in Turkey in July has once again triggered debate on the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons by the US in the country.

September 8th, 2016 By Davis Florick – Junior Fellow The Philippines’ victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was significant for the states bordering the South China Sea. For once, China’s smaller neighbors were able to stand up and ...

September 6th, 2016 By Irena Baboi – Research Assistant On the night of July 15, a faction of the Turkish army attempted to overthrow the government in Ankara and take military control of the country – and failed. The killing of ...

Shinzo Abe’s desire to reform Article 9 in order to remove some military constraints and depart from the “peace constitution” is certain to require significant political capital.

For most of the South China Sea’s history, its waters have enjoyed a rich tradition of cross-cultural communication. The shared cultures and goods created one of the most vibrant communities of antiquity.

Serbia was recently given the green light to begin talks on a unified trade regime with members of the Eurasian Union. Unsurprisingly, the European Union was not pleased with its candidate's potential move towards the Russian-dominated economic bloc.

To preserve the positive influences Oman can exert in the region, international efforts should be invested in building upon that stability and facilitating the road towards a more democratic dispensation.