WEAI’s former Dorothy Borg Postdoctoral Scholar in Southeast Asian Studies (2015-16) Paul Busbarat has written an August 3, 2017 op-ed in The Straits Times titled “Why a Strong ASEAN is Essential for the Region.”
“The current political structure in Southeast Asia may well dilute ASEAN’s ability to negotiate with external powers,” Dr. Busbarat writes. “It would be a tragedy if a failure of coordinated leadership within ASEAN results in great-power competition turning this region into a strategic battleground. ASEAN leaders need to seek another round of consensus to manage this strategic challenge. But who dares to take the lead at this time? That is a significant policy question worthy of discussion across the region.”
Dr. Busbarat received his PhD in Political Science & International Relations from ANU, and postgraduate degrees in International Affairs from Columbia University, and in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on ideational approaches to international relations with regards to Southeast Asia, and, particularly, Thailand’s foreign affairs. During his fellowship at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Dr. Busbarat engaged in research on US-Southeast Asian Relations, examining the normative order governing the relations between Southeast Asia and US. He also taught courses on the politics of Southeast Asia and on US-Southeast Asia Relations.
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