America’s Enduring Leadership in Asia America has been engaged in Asia since a few decades after securing its independence. Its early interest is documented in the 1833 Treaty on Amity and Commerce between the U.S. and the Kingdom of Siam Thailand), and later in the market-opening 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa with Japan. The U.S. has, in fact, been a “resident…
The United States has a truly massive economic relationship with East Asia. U.S.–East Asia trade exceeds $1 trillion annually, and two-way investment is more than $4 trillion. The U.S. also has many complaints about the economic relationship. Some refer to the huge trade deficit America runs with the region, others with specific mercantilist practices. One response…
Abstract: For more than 200 years, the United States has successfully preserved and protected its navigational rights and freedoms by relying on naval operations, diplomatic protests, and customary international law. U.S. membership in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) would not confer any maritime right or freedom that the U.S. does not already…
If the Obama administration’s Asia policy seems familiar, it is with good reason. In several respects, it closely mirrors that of the George W. Bush administration. It has held firm on the presence of the U.S. Marines in Japan. It has stood forcefully by our South Korean allies as they twice faced down North Korean aggression. It dusted off the U.S.-Korea free-trade…
The global financial crisis has had a major impact on perceptions of American power and its relationships in Asia. Many of the perceptions are not founded on facts. Among the facts often overlooked: American companies invest far more abroad than does all of Asia combined. For every dollar the U.S. has invested in China it has invested two in Australia…
There is one very useful thing about economic issues: Progress on them is measurable. Any presidential visit to Indonesia is certain to contain a list of “deliverables”. In the case of President Obama’s upcoming trip and the “Comprehensive Partnership” with Indonesia that he will launch, most of the deliverables have been front-loaded.A science and technology cooperation…
There is one very useful thing about economic issues: Progress on them is measurable. Any presidential visit to Indonesia is certain to contain a list of “deliverables.” In the case of President Obama’s upcoming trip and the “Comprehensive Partnership” with Indonesia that he will launch, most of the deliverables have been front-loaded. A science and technology…
On his trip to Indonesia this month, US President Barack Obama has the opportunity to position the United States and Indonesia for an entirely new partnership. To do that, the administration must keep the relationship in perspective, not burden it with more than it can bear, and focus on the big picture. It is important to note that, in terms of US partners in Asia,…
Walter Lohman discussing the Jakarta bombings.…
With at least two ongoing wars, President-elect Barack Obama may well be entering the Oval Office facing the toughest national security landscape for any American president in some time. A tour of the foreign policy horizon shows that America's 44th president will have his hands full with a panoply of problems that would vex any head of state, much less one who is…
The United States Commission on Individual Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has again rated Indonesia as a Tier 2...…
This morning, by a vote of 154 nations in favor (including the United States), 23 abstentions, and three against (Syria,...…
Indonesians are proud of the respect for pluralism and…
The Senate Banking Committee welcomes Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) to testify on the first anniversary of the Dodd-Frank...…
Two days ago a mail bomb exploded at the office of an Islamic group in Jakarta, injuring four people including two...…
In the last few days in Indonesia, inter-communal ugliness has reared its head in way that is major cause for concern....…
The President’s national security team prepared a solid speech for him to deliver at the University of Indonesia...…
So America's first "Asia-Pacific President" who brought America "back" to Asia after eight years of supposed neglect...…
The economic world for good reason is focused intently on Greece and the potential for financial contagion in...…
Now that that the massive healthcare bill has been signed into law, President Obama can no longer make excuses for...…
Director, Asian Studies Center