This document discusses US foreign policy in Southeast Asia, focusing on Indonesia, Burma/Myanmar, and relations with ASEAN. It notes China's increasing influence in the region and discusses terrorism, democracy, and abusive military regimes as key issues. Engagement questions posed at the end include whether the US should continue its approach in Indonesia, what more it can do for Burma/Myanmar, how to improve ASEAN relations, and how to counter China's influence.
5. Objectives and Themes: - Chinese/US “battle of influence” in the region. - Importance of ASEAN-US relations - Abusive Military Regimes - Terrorism - Democracy
6. Engagement questions... We’ll discuss them at the end. 1. Should the US continue doing what it is doing in Indonesia? 2. What more can the US for Burma/Myanmar? 3. What can the US do to better relations with the ASEAN? 4. Should the US counteract increasing Chinese influence? If so, how?
9. ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Formed in 1967 - Many Countries independent after WWII - Main purpose to “Nation Build”
10. CHINA, US, and SOUTHEAST ASIA: BATTLE FOR SOUTH EAST ASIA - Lack of US initiative - Before(90's), South Asian countries did not like China Reasons: - Support of communist insurgency - Conflicting claims over south China sea
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13. Terrorism Countries heavily affected: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore Reasons: - Invasion of Iraq - Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - A large number of active Al Qaeda cells in the region Goal: - Terrorist Groups “seek to create independent Islamic states in majority-Muslim areas” General US response: - Deployment of troops to Philippines - Bilateral rather than multilateral - Countries wary to work too closely with the US
15. Democracy - Elections do not constitute a democracy, but are the bare essentials of one. - Indonesia ... For better or for worse? - Coup in Thailand -Philippines: A step back - Malaysia:
17. Indonesia - Independence after WWII - Tried Democracy for about 15 years didn't work. - Sukarno became “military dictator” in 1965 -Dictatorship from 1965 to 1998 - 1998 to present: a new and struggling democracy
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19. Indonesia: Democracy - Considered “moderate Muslim democracy” - Conservative Islam is gaining ground by democratic means - An experiment in Muslim democracy Islam and Democracy
20. Indonesia: Relations with China/US With China: -Past Ideological differences (Communism) - Overall improvement post 9/11 With US - Investment in Indonesia's new Democracy - Energy! - Combating Terrorism
23. Abusive Military Regime? - Democracy 1948-1962 - Military Regime 1962-present - Military Forcefully suppressed pro-democracy protesters in 2007 (Biggest protest in the world since 1988) -Junta Forced (and/or payed) civilians to have a “ pro government” march - The ILO wants “ to prosecute members of the ruling Myanmar junta for crimes against humanity” (check)
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25. US foreign Policy - Sanctions from all over the world, heaviest from the United States - NO EFFECT Why: 1: Uneven Sanctions around the world 2: US Big Business in Burma 3: Successful exportation of their natural resources to other countries 4: Narcotics ( The Military Junta make big $$$ from this)
26. Okay, US Policies aren't working, what about the ASEAN? - Burma is causing a “disruption” between US/EU and ASEAN relations - Given a choice of losing chairmanship in ASEAN or instituting political reforms... Burma choose chairmenship -According to the ASEAN, they have limits, and will not impose any economic sanctions.
27. The China Factor - Military Aid - Economic Aid - Foreign Investment - Natural Resources
