In other words, our regional defence engagement now has to more directly support deterrence. This seems like a curious policy from a government that has led with the idea of engaging SEA and the Pacific on their own terms. 3/3

A very good discussion with 陆慷 LU Kang of China (17/4) ahead of the official visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi Spokesperson发言人办公室 to Indonesia (17-20 April 2024)

JUST IN: #Myanmar army spokesman Zaw Min Tun confirms state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, president Win Myint moved out of jail to be placed under house arrest

Reasons for transfer: old age and extreme heat in jail

More good news on the India-Southeast Asia connectivity front.

And folks should definitely travel there!

Rare to see this kind of intensive and deliberate engagement of Southeast Asian states from a European country.

Quite the lineup. Manila regularly gets some of the top diplomats in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Really good discussion hosted by Moe Thuzar of ISEAS today featuring Ian Storey and Yun Sun of Stimson, on Myanmar’s relations with Russia and China since the 2021 coup d’etat.

Up and coming researcher on cyber and the future of armed conflict? Come intern with Julia, Natallia Khaniejo, and their great team at the IISS office in Singapore this summer. (Deadline is 19 April, despite announcement indicating otherwise). iiss.org/careers/jobs/2…

The BJP, like every party around the world, pursues some foreign policies which help to win elections and others which are incidental to electoral politics—and which therefore might be less sustainable long-term. Manifestos are a good place to look to learn which are which.

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PM Modi's manefesto is out just before the election.

On foreign policy, the first goal is 'Leading the Global South'. India aims to strenthen its position as a 'Voice of the Global South.'

'Global South' is mentioned 6 times in the manifesto.

'Indo-Pacific' just once. (1/2)

#Thailand foreign minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara says Thais want to see dialogue take place to resolve #Myanmarcoup crisis & it's ready to be a 'broker' if & when time's right. Adds #Bangkok has communicated to coup regime to desist from retaliation in #Myawaddy #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar

The US embassy in Phnom Penh brings public diplomacy to the next level with this Khmer New Year video.

There are some critical announcements this week about key Asian treaty allies. But how is the U.S. doing elsewhere in the region?

Last week we got a report card from the 2024 ISEAS Survey. And it isn't great news. A short thread... [1/9]

warontherocks.com/2024/04/americ…

Two of our greatest U.S. Army Generals—George Marshall and Joe Stillwell—lived in Tianjin and worked in this building while serving in China in the 1920s and 30s. They both learned Mandarin Chinese and became pivotal partners of the Chinese people during the Second World War.

The first morning in Myawaddy. The situation looks normal.