It’s not all about China

From Ernie Bower, a report on Friday’s U.S.-ASEAN meeting in New York: Both the US and ASEAN rejected the idea that their relationship is defined by China. This point is important because it means the US wants to reinvigorate its relationship with ASEAN because of the important economic, political, security and socio-economic benefits close ties ...

By , a professor at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies.

From Ernie Bower, a report on Friday's U.S.-ASEAN meeting in New York:

From Ernie Bower, a report on Friday’s U.S.-ASEAN meeting in New York:

Both the US and ASEAN rejected the idea that their relationship is defined by China. This point is important because it means the US wants to reinvigorate its relationship with ASEAN because of the important economic, political, security and socio-economic benefits close ties will bring, not because it needs the relationship to manage an emergent China.  Clearly, how China defines its role and desires in the region and globally will continue to be a fundamental concern of all parties at the table, but it is a process the partners can review and respond to if necessary from a base of strong mutual interests.

David Bosco is a professor at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He is the author of The Poseidon Project: The Struggle to Govern the World’s Oceans. Twitter: @multilateralist

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.