Multipolarity in Southeast Asia

This week, Mike and Jude are joined by Thomas Parks, Country
Representative for Thailand with The Asia Foundation and author of
the recently published book Southeast Asia’s Multipolar
Future: Averting a New Cold War. They begin with an overview of
Southeast Asia’s experience during and following the Cold War and
discuss the region’s desire to avoid a re-division into blocs. They
explore how regional states are seeking to preserve strategic
ambiguity in their international relations and diversify their
economic partnerships to avoid becoming highly dependent on
any one great power.  They then consider the effects a
conflict in Taiwan would have on regional states’ autonomy and
probable reactions if conflict were to occur, as well as regional
perspectives on the prospects for major U.S.-China decoupling and
associated vulnerabilities.   The conservation concludes
by exploring space for multipolar cooperation in the region
among small and middle powers, how they have prioritized deep
connections with each other, and how this in turn allows them to
enter into robust security or economic relationships with
major powers while also preserving the perception of autonomy
in the eyes of their peers.