July 12, 2006
The Case for Permanent Normal Trading Relations with Vietnam
By Dana R. Dillon and Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #1152)
On May 31, America and Vietnam signed a bilateral market access agreement detailing the requirements for Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
July 11, 2006
Terrorist Strike at Fault Lines in South Asia
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #1151)
Terrorists strike in India.
June 13, 2006
Burma's Humanitarian Crisis in the Making
By Dana Dillon
(WebMemo #1123)
On June 19, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's democratic opposition, will celebrate her 61st birthday still under house ...
June 2, 2006
Bringing Burma to the U.N. Security Council
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #1104)
On May 31, 2006, the State Department announced that the United States would "pursue a U.N. Security Council resolution that will underscore the international communities ...
May 18, 2006
Nuclear India and the Non-Proliferation Treaty
By Dana R. Dillon and Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #1935)
The Bush Administration's initiative to sell civilian nuclear technology to India will have a lasting effect on the international nonproliferation regime. To deal with the ...
February 23, 2006
President Bush's Challenge in South Asia
By Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1917)
President Bush's March trip to India and Pakistan is a historic opportunity to lay the groundwork for regional peace and economic development. Good relations with ...
February 2, 2006
Time for a U.N. Security Council Resolution on Burma
By Dana R. Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #990)
Ever since 1962, when the Burmese military overthrew the civilian government, the international community has unanimously condemned the junta's behavior. Yet the junta will survive ...
January 26, 2006
Timika Arrests Show Growing Respect and Strength in Indo-U.S. Relations
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #969)
An enormous boost to U.S.-Indonesian relations that reflects growing security ties.
October 19, 2005
China and ASEAN: Endangered American Primacy in Southeast Asia
By Dana R. Dillon and John J. Tkacik, Jr.,
(Backgrounder #1886)
If the United States hopes to avoid the emergence of a Beijing-dominated Southeast Asia, it must reengage the region by giving priority to new free ...
August 1, 2005
Rice Misses the ASEAN Regional Forum: Now What?
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #813)
Given U.S. interests in Southeast Asia, attending future ARFs make sense.
July 27, 2005
Peace in Aceh: What it Means for the U.S.
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #806)
Peace in Aceh could mean better Indonesian-U.S. relations.
July 18, 2005
Crisis in the Philippines: What does it mean for the U.S.?
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #799)
The U.S. needs a careful approach to the Philippines.
July 7, 2005
U.S. Strategic Objectives in South Asia
By Dana R. Dillon
(Heritage Lecture #889)
The countries and peoples of South Asia are attempting to reform their economies from socialism to free markets and someday graduate from the developing to ...
June 13, 2005
Winning the Peace: Principles for Post-Conflict Operations
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1859)
In Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States has relearned painful lessons on how to win the peace. Institutionalizing these lessons requires establishing a common national ...
April 8, 2005
Thai Troubles: Combating Terror or Creating Insurgency?
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #716)
Thailand needs to rethink its counter-insurgency strategy.
April 4, 2005
Asia's Security Challenges
By Dana R. Dillon, Harvey J. Feldman, Balbina Y. Hwang, and John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Backgrounder #1839)
The U.S. should set a deadline for North Korea's participation in the six-party process; continue development aid to areas hit by the tsunami; encourage Japan ...
March 11, 2005
Rice's Trip to Asia: Promoting Diplomacy in the Region
By Peter T.R. Brookes, Dana R. Dillon, and Balbina Y. Hwang
(WebMemo #684)
On the heels of successful swings through Europe and the Middle East, Rice's first visit to Asia as Secretary of State offers the opportunity to ...
January 12, 2005
Tsunamis Do Not Trump Sovereignty
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #639)
Indonesia needs aid, not hectoring, from NGOs.
December 20, 2004
Southeast Asia and the Brotherhood of Terrorism
By Dana R. Dillon
(Heritage Lecture #860)
To better contain the Southeast Asian brotherhood of terrorism, the international community should initiate
the process to place all of Southeast Asia's terrorist brotherhood on ...
September 24, 2004
Democratic Indonesia as a Security Partner
By Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1800)
To help Indonesia consolidate its democratic transition and welcome it as a security partner, the United States should assist the professionalization of Indonesia's military and ...
June 10, 2004
Insurgency in Thailand: The U.S. Should Support the Government
By Dana R. Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #936)
In order to support the Thai government after the recent insurgency, Congress and the Bush Administration should negotiate a free trade agreement with Thailand. The ...
May 17, 2004
Elections in the Philippines: No Reason To Get Excited
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #504)
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's victory does not change the systemic weaknesses responsible for many of the Philippines' problems.
April 22, 2004
The Wiranto Dilemma: Indicted War Criminal Seeks the Indonesian Presidency
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #488)
Criticism of Wiranto from Washington—especially at this early stage in the presidential campaign—could bring attention, support, and perhaps victory to this otherwise unpopular candidate.
April 2, 2004
Elections in Indonesia: Already a Success
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #469)
Even before the first vote is cast in, the Indonesian elections are a success. Indonesia has made remarkable strides in democratizing its government
March 19, 2004
The Election Crisis in Sri Lanka
By Dana R. Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #916)
The United States has a considerable interest in the peaceful resolution of Sri Lanka's civil war. American military and economic aid should be based on ...
January 22, 2004
The War on Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Developing Law Enforcement
By Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1720)
U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Southeast Asia lack clear policy on the role of the American assistance, clearly defined program objectives, unity of effort, and a ...
November 7, 2003
Cutting Off Military Assistance to Malaysia Is Counterproductive
By Dana R. Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #905)
The U.S. Congress went too far in its efforts to punish Mahathir by passing an amendment to cut off military aid to Malaysia
October 31, 2003
Cutting off Military Assistance to Malaysia is Counterproductive
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #358)
The U.S. Senate's proposal to cut off all military aid to Malaysia goes too far in its efforts to punish Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir ...
October 16, 2003
Agenda Items for President Bush's Asia Trip
By Dana Dillon and Balbina Hwang
(WebMemo #350)
President Bush's travel to attend the APEC leaders' summit in Bangkok on Monday will include a six-day, six-country tour of Asia. Visiting these key Asia-Pacific ...
October 10, 2003
The APEC Forum: Time to Make a Difference
By Dana R. Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, John J. Tkacik, Jr., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Sara J. Fitzgerald
(Backgrounder #1696)
The October 20-21 APEC Leaders' Summit in Thailand provides a unique opportunity for President George W. Bush to encourage trade liberalization among APEC economies, promote ...
September 8, 2003
Compact of Free Association: Critical to America's Defense
By Dana R. Dillon
(WebMemo #334)
In light of the escalating nuclear threat from North Korea and the proliferation of nuclear weapons and missile technology across Asia, Congress should renew the ...
August 12, 2003
Burma: Coordinate Sanctions to Force Change
By Dana R. Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #896)
In light of the brazen acts of Burma's generals, American efforts should focus on persuading Japan, India, and the ASEAN countries to join the U.S. ...
June 12, 2003
Burma's Road to Democracy: Multilateral Actions Best Approach
By Dana Dillon
(WebMemo #291)
The May 30 re-internment of Nobel laureate and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi – by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the military ...
June 10, 2003
ASEAN Regional Forum: Promoting U.S. Interests
By Dana R. Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, and John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Backgrounder #1659)
The June 18, 2003, ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, provides an outstanding opportunity for U.S. policymakers to advance important national interests in such ...
February 21, 2003
Preventing the Maoist Overthrow of Nepal
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #862)
An unstable situation in Nepal could lead to a major power struggle between India and China in the Himalayas and adversely affect U.S. interests in ...
January 17, 2003
The Shape of Anti-Terrorist Coalitions in Southeast Asia
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Heritage Lecture #773)
There are multiple groupings in the Southeast Asia region that claim an anti-terrorist goal, but the strategies used by the coalitions determine whether or not ...
October 17, 2002
Back to Basics: An Economic Agenda for APEC
By Dana Robert Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, John J. Tkacik, Jr. and Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #1604)
President Bush needs to set the global trading system on a firm footing for sustained economic growth at APEC this year. He should encourage economic ...
October 17, 2002
Back to Basics: An Economic Agenda for APEC
By Dana Robert Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, John J. Tkacik, Jr. and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #1604)
bg1604es: Back to Basics: An Economic Agenda for APEC
August 30, 2002
Helping Sri Lanka Secure a New Beginning
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #830)
Sri Lanka is about to make peace with the violent Tamil Tigers. The U.S. should support the peaceful resolution of the civil war in Sri ...
July 22, 2002
Promoting a Collective Response to Terrorism in Southeast Asia
By Dana Robert Dillon and Paolo Pasicolan
(Executive Memorandum #825)
Though Asian countries have customarily refused to interfere with the internal affairs of their neighbors out of respect for their sovereignty, the emergence of terrorism ...
June 20, 2002
Responding to the Indo-Pakistani Crisis
By James Phillips, Jack Spencer, Dexter Ingram, and Dana Robert Dillon
(Backgrounder #1562)
Although the U.S. should continue to encourage India and Pakistan to settle the dispute over Kashmir themselves, it should not attempt to insert itself as ...
June 12, 2002
Military Engagement with Indonesia in the War on Terrorism
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #818)
The Bush Administration's proposal to provide $8 million to train a "counterterrorism unit" in Indonesia is appropriately modest and contains sufficient safeguards to protect the ...
April 12, 2002
Why the United States Should Complete the Bilateral Free Trade Agreement with Singapore
By Dana Robert Dillon and Sara J. Fitzgerald
(Executive Memorandum #810)
To reinforce U.S. leadership in Asia and strengthen America's defense relationship with Singapore, the Bush Administration should move quickly to implement the bilateral trade agreement ...
April 10, 2002
Breaking Down Intelligence Barriers for Homeland Security
By Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1536)
The United States should immediately close the gaps in America's intelligence machinery by creating of an intelligence fusion center and developing methods to enlist state ...
January 25, 2002
The United States Should Encourage India and Pakistan to Disengage
By Dana R. Dillon and John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Executive Memorandum #799)
The United States should focus its diplomatic efforts on convincing India and Pakistan that military brinkmanship only complicates the problems that arise during their periodic ...
October 23, 2001
Southeast Asia and the War Against Terrorism
By Dana Robert Dillon and Paolo Pasicolan
(Backgrounder #1496)
To win the war on terror, Washington must focus on weakening international terrorist networks by cutting off their sources of funding. It should also help ...
October 4, 2001
Preparing for the APEC Summit: Mobilizing Asian Allies for War
By John J. Tkacik, Jr., Dana Robert Dillon, Balbina Y. Hwang, and Sara J. Fitzgerald
(Backgrounder #1487)
As so many heads of state and government in the Asia-Pacific region come together for the APEC summit this month, President Bush has a unique ...
October 4, 2001
Preparing for the APEC Summit: Mobilizing Asian Allies for War
By John J. Tkacik, Dana R. Dillon, Balbina Hwang, and Sara J. Fitzgerald
(Executive Summary #1487)
BG1487es: Preparing for the APEC Summit: Mobilizing Asian Allies for War
June 18, 2001
Time to Strengthen U.S.-Australian Relations in Trade and Defense
By Dana Robert Dillon, Denise H. Froning, and Gerald P. O'Driscoll, Jr., Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1450)
Australia is a strategic ally in the Asia-Pacific region and an important trading partner. It is time to strengthen even further the ties that bind ...
May 11, 2001
New U.S.-Indonesia Relations: From Myth to Reality
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Backgrounder #1439)
Until the Indonesian government reforms the economy and the military and strengthens its civilian institutions, the United States should withhold additional assistance and limit military ...
March 29, 2001
Time for Expanded Trade Relations with India
By Dana R. Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #733)
If India is willing to lower its prohibitive tariff regime to demonstrate its commitment to trade liberalization, Washington should initiate negotiations for further reductions under ...
December 11, 2000
Improving Relations with India Without Compromising U.S. Security
By Larry M. Wortzel, Ph.D. and Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1402)
Washington should take this opportunity to foster a meaningful strategic dialogue with Indian officials about U.S. concerns, such as proliferation, and to find ways to ...
September 21, 2000
Too Soon to Resume Military-to-Military Engagement with Indonesia
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Backgrounder #1397)
It is time for a new approach to remedy Indonesia's numerous security problems.
July 26, 2000
A Trade Pact With Vietnam: The First Step in Building Substantive Relations
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #690)
A Trade Pact With Vietnam: The First Step in Building Substantive Relations
June 22, 2000
Piracy in Asia: A Growing Barrier to Maritime Trade
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Backgrounder #1379)
Maritime piracy is back on the foreign policy radar screen.
April 19, 2000
Indonesia and Separatism: Finding a Federalist Solution
By Dana Robert Dillon
(Executive Memorandum #670)
The United States can help Indonesia in this respect by sharing the core principles of federalism that could strengthen the nation.