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• Japan 2011 Disaster: CRS Experts [March 15, 2011]

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  This CRS (Congressional Research Service) report "provides access to names and contact information for CRS experts on policy concerns relating to the nuclear and humanitarian disaster unfolding in Japan. Policy areas identified include (1) Nuclear power, nuclear safety, and radioactive heath concerns; (2) Geology, earthquakes, and tsunamis; (3) U.S. relations with Japan; (4) U.S. government response to the disaster; and (5) Economic impacts of the crisis."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben

  2011-03-15
• United States Relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) [November 16, 2009]

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  "The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Southeast Asia's primary multilateral organization. Established in 1967, it has grown into one of the world's largest regional fora, representing a strategically important group of 10 nations that spans critical sea lanes and accounts for 5% of U.S. trade. This report discusses U.S. diplomatic, security, trade, and aid ties with ASEAN, analyzes major issues affecting Southeast Asian countries and U.S.-ASEAN relations, and examines ASEAN's relations with other regional powers. Much U.S. engagement with the region occurs at the bilateral level, but this report focuses on multilateral diplomacy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Manyin, Mark E.; Dolven, Ben

  2009-11-16
• Terrorism in Southeast Asia [October 16, 2007]

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  "Since September 2001, the United States has increased focus on radical Islamist and terrorist groups in Southeast Asia, particularly those in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Southeast Asia is a base for past, current, and possibly future terrorist operations. Al Qaeda penetrated the region by establishing local cells, training Southeast Asians in its camps in Afghanistan, and by financing and cooperating with indigenous radical Islamist groups. Indonesia and the southern Philippines have been particularly vulnerable to penetration by anti-American Islamic terrorist groups. [...]. In September 2009, Indonesian authorities claimed they had killed the leader of one [Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)] cell, Noordin Mohammed Top. Noordin is believed to have been responsible for organizing the nearsimultaneous July 17, 2009 bombings of the J.W. Marriot and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta. [...]. The responses of countries in the region to both the threat and to the U.S. reaction generally have varied with the intensity of their concerns about the threat to their own stability and domestic politics. In general, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines were quick to crack down on militant groups and share intelligence with the United States and Australia, whereas Indonesia began to do so only after attacks or arrests revealed the severity of the threat to their citizens. Many governments view increased American pressure and military presence in their region with ambivalence because of the political sensitivity of the issue with both mainstream Islamic and secular nationalist groups. The Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand has escalated in recent years as has terrorist activity in southern areas of the Philippines. The report looks at the rise of Islamist militancy and the JI network, and discusses terrorism in the region, concluding with options for U.S. policy. Strategies include placing greater emphasis on attacking institutions that support terrorism, building up regional governments' capacities for combating terrorist groups, and reducing the sense of alienation among Muslim citizens."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben

  2007-10-16
• Japan 2011 Disaster: CRS Experts [April 7, 2011]

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  From the Document: "The following table provides access to names and contact information for CRS experts on policy concerns relating to the nuclear and humanitarian disaster unfolding in Japan. Policy areas identified include: 1) Nuclear power, nuclear safety, and radioactive heath concerns; 2) Geology, earthquakes, and tsunamis; 3) U.S. relations with Japan; 4) U.S. government response to the disaster; and 5) Economic impacts of the crisis."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben

  2011-04-07
• Maritime Territorial Disputes in East Asia: Issues for Congress [January 30, 2013]

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  "Tensions surrounding numerous maritime territorial disputes in East Asia have become a pressing challenge for U.S. foreign policymakers. Beginning around 2005-2006, long-disputed waters in the South China Sea and, more recently, the East China Sea have become the site of increasingly aggressive behavior from nations trying to strengthen claims to disputed areas or to explore and develop offshore energy and fishery resources. Rising tensions in these waters raise a number of important issues for the 113th Congress. The tensions have been fed by a series of aggressive actions by maritime authorities, including harassing vessels, destroying equipment, and blockading islets and shoals. The increasing frequency of such events raises the possibility of miscalculations that could lead to overt conflict at sea. It also poses complex questions about security and U.S. diplomacy in the region, and represents one of the most complicated challenges for the Obama Administration's strategy of 'rebalancing' foreign policy priorities towards the Asia-Pacific. The territorial disputes at the heart of these tensions are decades old, and incidents between the parties to the disputes have been ongoing for many years."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Kan, Shirley; Manyin, Mark E.

  2013-01-30
• Pivot to the Pacific? The Obama Administration's 'Rebalancing' Toward Asia [March 28, 2012]

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  "In the fall of 2011 and early 2012, the Obama Administration announced that it would be intensifying the U.S. role in the Asia-Pacific region. To do this, it intends to raise the region's priority in U.S. military planning, foreign policy, and economic policy. With U.S. troops gone from Iraq and poised to be drawn down in Afghanistan, Administration officials say they plan to 'rebalance' U.S. attention toward planning for future challenges and opportunities, such as those represented in the Asia-Pacific region. As President Barack Obama stated in a November 2011 address to the Australian parliament, his goal is to ensure that 'the United States will play a larger and long-term role in shaping this region [the Asia-Pacific] and its future.' The ultimate goal, according to National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, is to promote U.S. interests by helping to shape the norms and rules of the Asia-Pacific region, to ensure that 'international law and norms be respected, that commerce and freedom of navigation are not impeded, that emerging powers build trust with their neighbors, and that disagreements are resolved peacefully without threats or coercion.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.; Daggett, Stephen; Dolven, Ben

  2012-03-28
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [June 5, 2012]

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  "Under the Obama Administration, the United States has prioritized engagement with Southeast Asia and a broader strategic rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific. With its favorable geographic location and broad-based economy, Thailand has traditionally been considered among the most likely countries to play a major leadership role in the region. But growing U.S. engagement with other allies and partners such as the Philippines and Singapore, and Thailand's domestic problems appear to have dimmed the prominence of the U.S.-Thai relationship in Southeast Asia. Thailand maintains close relations with China and is considered by some to be a key arena of competition between Beijing and Washington for influence."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben

  2012-06-05
• Timor-Leste: Political Dynamics, Development, and International Involvement [July 3, 2012]

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  "The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste gained independence on May 20, 2002, after a long history of Portuguese colonialism and, more recently, Indonesian rule. The young nation, with a population of 1.1 million, has been aided by the United Nations under several different mandates under which the U.N. has provided peacekeeping, humanitarian, reconstruction and capacity building assistance to establish a functioning government. The current United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) is slated to withdraw from the nation at the end of 2012. […] That said, Timor-Leste faces many serious challenges as it seeks to establish and deepen a stable democracy and develop its economy. Many institutions in the young nation remain weak, and tensions remain between the young country's political elites and among security forces. Timor- Leste remains one of Asia's poorest nations, ranking 147th out of 187 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. Generating economic opportunity and employment are among the government's greatest challenges. Congressional concerns have focused on security and the role of the United Nations, human rights, East Timor's boundary disputes with Australia and Indonesia, and the strengthening of the nation's political system and functioning of its parliament. Key challenges for Timor-Leste include creating enough political stability to focus on building state capacity and infrastructure, providing employment, and preventing the oil-and-gas revenue stream from being squandered by corruption or poor investment decisions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Margesson, Rhoda; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-

  2012-07-03
• Maritime Territorial Disputes in East Asia: Issues for Congress [May 14, 2014]

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  "Rising tensions stemming from maritime territorial disputes in East Asia have become a pressing challenge for U.S. policy makers, and pose one of the most complicated issues for the Obama Administration's policy of strategic 'rebalancing' towards the Asia-Pacific. Since around 2005-2006, long-disputed waters and land features in the South China Sea and, more recently, the East China Sea have seen increasingly aggressive behavior from nations trying to strengthen claims to disputed areas. Although China is not the only nation that has sought to press its maritime territorial claims, actions taken by People's Republic of China (PRC) actors, including its maritime law enforcement authorities and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), have been a particular concern. Chinese maritime authorities have taken actions include harassing vessels, destroying equipment, and blockading islets and shoals. Observers are concerned that the increasing frequency of such events raises the possibility of miscalculations that could lead to overt conflict at sea. […] The Senate may consider offering its advice and consent on the United States becoming a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Congress also may choose to examine the economic and security implications of a greater U.S. military presence in disputed areas, or the merits of providing additional resources to Southeast Asian nations to monitor and police their maritime domains. It also may choose to support efforts to lower tensions, including discussions between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a Code of Conduct for parties in the South China Sea."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Manyin, Mark E.; Kan, Shirley

  2014-05-14
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [June 19, 2014]

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  "Thailand is a long-time military ally and a significant trade and economic partner for the United States. In 2013, Thailand was the United States' 24th largest goods trading partner, with $38.0 billion in total two-way goods trade. For many years, Thailand was also seen as a model of stable democracy in Southeast Asia, although this image, along with U.S. relations, has been complicated by deep political and economic instability in the wake of two military coups in the past eight years. The first, in 2006, displaced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but polarizing figure who remains a focus of many divisions within Thailand. The second, in 2014, deposed an acting prime minister after Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was ousted from the premiership by a Constitutional Court decision that many saw as politically motivated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben

  2014-06-19
• Terrorism in Southeast Asia [October 16, 2009]

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  "Since September 2001, the United States has increased focus on radical Islamist and terrorist groups in Southeast Asia, particularly those in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Southeast Asia has been a base for terrorist operations. Al Qaeda penetrated the region by establishing local cells, training Southeast Asians in its camps in Afghanistan, and by financing and cooperating with indigenous radical Islamist groups. Indonesia and the southern Philippines have been particularly vulnerable to penetration by Islamic terrorist groups. […] The report looks at the rise of Islamist militancy and the JI [Jemaah Islamiyah] network, and discusses terrorism in the region, concluding with options for U.S. policy. Strategies include placing greater emphasis on attacking institutions that support terrorism, building up regional governments' capacities for combating terrorist groups, and reducing the sense of alienation among Muslim citizens."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben . . .

  2009-10-16
• Chinese Land Reclamation in the South China Sea: Implications and Policy Options [June 18, 2015]

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  "Since September 2013, China has undertaken extensive reclamation and construction on several reefs in the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea, raising a variety of concerns in the United States and Asia. The reclamation has created over 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of artificial landmasses on Chinese-occupied reefs that are disputed between several countries and are located in some of the world's most heavily trafficked waters. China announced on June 16, 2015 that its reclamation work would be completed 'in the upcoming days,' and that when reclamation was finished, it would turn to building facilities on the newly created artificial islands. The reclamation activity continues a series of assertive actions by China in the South China Sea as Beijing seeks to more actively stress its sovereignty claims in the area. […] This, some observers argue, raises the question of whether the United States has developed a strategy for countering Chinese actions, and if so, whether that strategy is adequate. China states that its activities are legal, reflecting its claim of sovereignty over the affected features, and notes that other South China Sea claimants have also reclaimed areas on features that they occupy. […] This report assesses legal, military/operational, and diplomatic implications of the reclamation and construction activity. It surveys U.S. and Chinese statements on the situation, provides a history of reclamation activity by other nations including the United States and other South China Sea claimants, and discusses U.S. strategy and potential options for U.S. policymakers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Elsea, Jennifer; Lawrence, Susan V. . . .

  2015-06-18
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [July 29, 2015]

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  "Thailand is a long-time military ally and a significant trade and economic partner for the United States. For many years, Thailand was seen as a model democracy in Southeast Asia, although this image, along with U.S.-Thai relations, has been complicated by deep political and economic instability in the wake of two military coups in the past nine years. […] Thai politics has been contentious for more than a decade, mainly because of the rivalry between Thaksin's supporters and opponents. Many of Thaksin's supporters hail from the poorer, more rural areas of northern Thailand, and they have benefited from populist policies launched by Thaksin and his supporters. Parties loyal to Thaksin have won the last six nationwide elections including several that took place after the 2006 coup, but a series of prime ministers have been removed, either via coup or court action. Thaksin's opponents--a mix of conservative royalists, military figures, and Bangkok elites--have refused to accept the results of these elections. Both Thaskin's opponents (loosely known as 'Yellow Shirts') and his supporters ('Red Shirts') have staged large-scale protests, which have become violent at times. In 2010, demonstrations led to riots in Bangkok and other cities, and the worst street violence in Thailand in decades. […] The United States and the international community have raised other concerns about Thailand, mainly having to do with human trafficking, the large refugee population living within the country's borders, and human rights and democracy conditions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben; Mackey, William

  2015-07-29
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [December 20, 2013]

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  "U.S.-Thailand relations are of interest to Congress because of Thailand's status as a long-time military ally and a significant trade and economic partner. For many years, Thailand was also seen as a model of stable democracy in Southeast Asia, although this image, along with U.S. relations, have been complicated by deep political and economic instability in the wake of a September 2006 coup that displaced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but divisive figure who remains a flashpoint for many divisions within Thailand. In recent years, Thai politics have been dominated by rivalries between populist forces led by Thaksin (now in exile) and his opponents, a mix of conservative royalists and military figures, and other Bangkok elites. Despite his exile, pro-Thaksin political parties have won the three nationwide elections since his ouster, and the current government is led by his younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Mass movements both supporting and opposing Thaksin have staged vigorous demonstrations, including protests in 2010 that spilled over to riots in Bangkok and other cities, causing the worst street violence in Thailand in decades. Large-scale anti-Thaksin demonstrations in November and December 2013 forced Prime Minister Yingluck to dissolve Parliament and call for nationwide elections in February 2014. […] Although the alliance itself does not appear to be fundamentally shaken by Thailand's political events of the past few years, Bangkok's reliability as a partner, and its ability to be a regional leader, are uncertain. Successive Thai governments have also been unable to stem violence by insurgents in the southern majority-Muslim provinces."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben

  2013-12-20
• Religious Intolerence in Indonesia [October 10, 2018]

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  "Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, and it has long been known for its moderate interpretations of Islam. Yet, in recent years, there have been numerous acts of religious intolerance directed against minority religious groups in the country, including Ahmadis, a Muslim sect. This sort of intolerance gained international attention in December 2016 when over 200,000 protestors descended on Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, to demand that the city's governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, resign. They accused Basuki, otherwise known as Ahok, of blasphemy because he had suggested that his political opponents were using a Quranic verse to encourage Muslims to vote against non-Muslims. (Ahok is a double minority in Indonesia: he is a Christian and ethnically Chinese.) Months later, Ahok lost his reelection bid; he also was charged with blasphemy, convicted, and sentenced to two years in prison."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mackey, Wil; Dolven, Ben

  2018-10-10
• Mongolia [July 10, 2018]

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  "Mongolia is a landlocked nation of 3 million people between Russia and China. It is often viewed as a democratic success story both among former Soviet satellite states and in Asia. In 1989, democratic activists staged protests against communist rule and formed the Mongolian Democratic Union. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), which had ruled the country since 1921, allowed multiparty elections in 1990 and relinquished power in 1996, when a Democratic Party (DP)-led coalition of opposition forces won nationwide elections. Since then, the Mongolian legislature and presidency have peacefully exchanged power several times. Mongolia's foreign relations are driven by a desire to preserve the nation's autonomy by balancing relations between major partners, including the United States, the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Russia, and also Japan and South Korea. Its economy is supported by extensive mineral resources, but growth remains uneven, driven by fluctuations in mineral and petroleum prices."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben

  2018-07-10
• Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) of 2018 [Updated April 4, 2019]

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  From the Document: "In December 2018, the 115th Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (ARIA; P.L. 115-409), which provides a broad statement of U.S. policy for the Indo-Pacific region. ARIA states, 'Without strong leadership from the United States, the international system, fundamentally rooted in the rule of law, may wither.... It is imperative that the United States continue to play a leading role in the Indo-Pacific.' The act, which utilizes the 'Indo-Pacific' framework adopted by the Trump Administration in its 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' policy, appears to seek to reassure U.S. allies, strategic partners, and other nations of the United States' continued commitment to the region."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Martin, Michael F.; Dolven, Ben; Lawrence, Susan V. . . .

  2019-04-04
• Indonesia Prepares for Election Rematch [March 18, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Voters in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, are scheduled to go to the polls on April 17 to elect a President and the 560 members of the People's Representative Council, Indonesia's national Parliament. This will be Indonesia's fourth direct presidential election and the first time presidential and parliamentary polls are to be simultaneous. It is also expected to be one of the largest democratic exercises in the world: among democracies, Indonesia trails only India and the United States in the size of its electorate. The presidential polls pit the same two candidates who contested the last elections in 2014: President Joko Widodo and former army Special Forces commander Prabowo Subianto. Widodo, almost universally known by his nickname, Jokowi, won the bitterly contested previous election by 9 million votes. Most opinion polls show him once again holding a lead over Prabowo, but the advantage may be narrowing as election day nears."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben

  2019-03-18
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) [Updated May 22, 2019]

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  From the Document: "The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Southeast Asia's primary multilateral organization, a 10-member grouping of nations with a combined population of 630 million and a combined annual gross domestic product (GDP) of around $2.4 trillion. Established in 1967, it has grown into one of the world's largest regional fora, representing a strategically important region with some of the world's busiest sea lanes, including the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. Taken collectively, ASEAN would rank as the world's fifth-largest economy and the United States' fourth-largest export market."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben

  2019-05-22
• U.S.-Singapore Relations [Updated May 20, 2019]

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  From the Overview: "Though geographically only about three times the size of Washington, DC, and with a population of about 5.9 million, the city-state of Singapore exerts economic and diplomatic influence on par with much larger countries. Its stable government, strong economic performance, educated citizenry, and strategic position along key shipping lanes afford it a large role in regional and global affairs. For the United States, Singapore has been a partner in both trade and security initiatives and an advocate of a strong U.S. role in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, Singapore's leaders have aimed to maintain close relations with China, and to strike a balance among the region's powers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben

  2019-05-20
• Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) of 2018 [March 20, 2019]

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  From the Document: "In December 2018, the 115th Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (ARIA; P.L. 115-409), which provides a broad statement of U.S. policy for the IndoPacific region. ARIA states, 'Without strong leadership from the United States, the international system, fundamentally rooted in the rule of law, may wither.... It is imperative that the United States continue to play a leading role in the Indo-Pacific.' The act, which utilizes the 'IndoPacific' framework adopted by the Trump Administration in its 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' policy, appears to seek to reassure U.S. allies, strategic partners, and other nations of the United States' continued commitment to the region."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Martin, Michael F.; Dolven, Ben; Lawrence, Susan V. . . .

  2019-03-20
• U.S.-Singapore Relations [Updated May 19, 2020]

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  From the Overview: "Though geographically only about three times the size of Washington, DC, and with a population of about 5.9 million, the city-state of Singapore exerts economic and diplomatic influence on par with much larger countries. Its stable government, strong economic performance, educated citizenry, and strategic position along key shipping lanes afford it a large role in regional and global affairs. For the United States, Singapore has been a partner in both trade and security initiatives and an advocate of a strong U.S. role in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, Singapore's leaders have aimed to maintain close relations with China, and to strike a balance among the region's powers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Chanlett-Avery, Emma

  2020-05-19
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) [Updated June 10, 2020]

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  From the Overview: "The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Southeast Asia's primary multilateral organization, a 10- member grouping of nations with a combined population of 650 million and a combined annual gross domestic product (GDP) of around $2.8 trillion in 2019. Established in 1967, it has grown into one of the world's largest regional fora, representing a strategically important region with some of the world's busiest sea lanes, including the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. Taken collectively, ASEAN would rank as the world's fifth-largest economy and the United States' fourth-largest export market."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben

  2020-06-10
• Philippines [Updated June 11, 2020]

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  From the Overview: "The United States and the Republic of the Philippines have a deep relationship that includes a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-topeople ties, and many shared strategic and economic interests. U.S. administration of the Philippines as a colonial territory (1898-1946), which followed 300 years of Spanish rule, also shaped the relationship. Since President Rodrigo Duterte was elected in 2016, his violent antidrug campaign and harassment of political opponents, human rights activists, journalists, and the media, as well as his distrust of the United States and rapprochement with China, have raised concerns among many U.S. policymakers. Among Filipinos, popular support for the U.S.-Philippines relationship is strong. [...] A 2018 Pew poll found that Filipinos prefer U.S. global leadership (77%) over that of China (12%)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben

  2020-06-11
• South China Sea Disputes: Background and U.S. Policy [Updated December 22, 2020]

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  From the Overview: "Multiple Asian governments assert sovereignty over rocks, reefs, and other geographic features in the heavily trafficked South China Sea (SCS), with the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) arguably making the most assertive claims. The United States has no territorial claim in the SCS and does not take a position on sovereignty over any of the geographic features in the SCS, but has urged that disputes be settled without coercion and on the basis of international law. Separate from the sovereignty disputes, the United States and China disagree over what rights international law grants foreign militaries to fly, sail, and operate in a country's territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Since 2013, the sovereignty disputes and the U.S.-China dispute over freedom of the seas for military ships and aircraft have converged in the controversy over military outposts China has built on disputed features in the SCS. Of particular concern to the U.S. military is the possibility that the outposts may be part of a Chinese effort to dominate the South China Sea, with the ultimate goal of making China a regional hegemon that can set the rules by which other regional actors must operate. A long-standing goal of U.S. strategy has been to prevent the emergence of such a regional hegemon. U.S. and regional observers have been alert to other actions China might take to achieve dominance in the SCS."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Lawrence, Susan V.; O'Rourke, Ronald

  2020-12-22
• Thailand: 2020 Student Protests and U.S.-Thai Relations [October 29, 2020]

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  From the Document: "Protesters have taken to the streets in Thailand, challenging the country's military-led government and, notably, the role of the country's powerful monarchy. Protesters are demanding constitutional reform, the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and limitations on the powers of the monarchy--a deeply sensitive issue in Thailand. Previous periods of mass protests in Thailand have challenged the country's political institutions, and on numerous instances have resulted in violent clashes between competing factions as well as with the Thai military. Since becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1932, Thailand has experienced over 22 attempted coups (13 successful), the most recent in 2014."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Kirt; Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben

  2020-10-29
• Malaysia [Updated May 22, 2019]

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  From the Overview: "Malaysia plays an active role in regional diplomacy, and it has been a partner in various U.S. initiatives in Asia, including trade and security initiatives as well as efforts to combat terrorism and religious extremism. It is one of four Southeast Asian nations that have territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, and its export-led economy has encouraged it to undertake trade negotiations with the United States and others. Malaysia was a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), from which the United States withdrew in 2017, and it is one of 11 members of the renamed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Malaysia was an original member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and it sees itself as both a regional leader and a moderate voice within the Islamic world. Despite generally cooperative bilateral relations with the United States, some issues remain obstacles to closer ties, including Malaysian opposition to much U.S. policy in the Middle East, and U.S. concerns over some Malaysian economic and human-rights policies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-; Dolven, Ben

  2019-05-22
• Philippines [Updated August 5, 2019]

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  From the Overview: "The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain a deep relationship that includes a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-to-people ties, and many shared strategic and economic interests. U.S. administration of the Philippines as a colonial territory (1898-1946), which followed 300 years of Spanish rule, also shaped the relationship. Bilateral relations have faced challenges under President Rodrigo Duterte, who has long held negative views of the United States. Elected in 2016, Duterte has pursued rapprochement with China and a violent extrajudicial antidrug campaign. Major areas of U.S.-Philippine cooperation, nonetheless, have continued."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolven, Ben; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-

  2019-08-05
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated June 25, 2019]

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  From the Overview: "Thailand is a long-time military ally and economic partner of the United States. These ties endure,but more than a decade of political turmoil in Thailand, including two military coups in 2006 and 2014, has complicated U.S.-Thai relations and erased Thailand's image as a model democracy in Southeast Asia. Thailand conducted nationwide elections in March 2019--its first since 2011--and in June seated a new government led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army who led the 2014 coup. The polls were conducted under new rules drafted by the junta that structurally protect the military's influence, and questions remain about the new government's popular legitimacy. The military government also rewrote Thailand's constitution to create a military-appointed Senate, and was widely criticized for harassment of government critics and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Dolven, Ben; Smith, Kirt

  2019-06-25
• Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated July 31, 2015]

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  From the Summary: "Thailand is a long-time military ally and a significant trade and economic partner for the United States. For many years, Thailand was seen as a model democracy in Southeast Asia, although this image, along with U.S.-Thai relations, has been complicated by deep political and economic instability in the wake of two military coups in the past nine years. [...] The United States and the international community have raised other concerns about Thailand, mainly having to do with human trafficking, the large refugee population living within the country's borders, and human rights and democracy conditions. This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Mackey, Wil; Dolven, Ben

  2015-07-31