IRSEA - The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies

15/09/2026

MANAGING MULTIPOLARITY: ASEAN’S DIALOGUE PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK UNDER PRESSURE

ASEAN’s Dialogue Partnership framework has evolved from a small set of relationships into a differentiated external partnership architecture encompassing Dialogue Partners, Sectoral Dialogue Partners, Development Partners, Strategic Partnerships and Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships. This evolution has occurred incrementally, allowing ASEAN to expand external engagement while preserving flexibility, consensus and institutional control.

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https://www.irsea.ro/Managing-Multipolarity-ASEAN-s-Dialogue-Partnership-Framework-Under-Pressure/

15/09/2026

ASSEMBLY IS NOT ABSORPTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN DEFENCE DEALS

Southeast Asian defence deals increasingly promise local assembly, technology transfer and industrial participation, but headline local content figures can obscure whether countries actually develop lasting technological capabilities.

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Southeast Asian defence deals increasingly promise local assembly, technology transfer and industrial participation, but headline local content figures can obscure whether countries actually develop lasting technological capabilities.

11/09/2026

THE PHILIPPINES LEANS INTO ALLIANCES TO MODERNISE ITS DEFENCE

The Philippines is pursuing an asymmetric defence modernisation strategy centred on maritime domain awareness, coastal defence and stronger alliance partnerships. Rather than build an unaffordable blue-water navy, Manila aims to deter Chinese coercion in the South China Sea and protect strategically critical waterways around northern Luzon.

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The Philippines is pursuing an asymmetric defence modernisation strategy centred on maritime domain awareness, coastal defence and stronger alliance partnerships.

11/09/2026

TAIWAN STRAIT TENSIONS COME HOME TO THAILAND

Thailand’s support for the ‘one-China policy’, alongside Taiwan’s expanding cultural and diplomatic outreach, is bringing cross-strait tensions into Thailand’s domestic political sphere. From a dispute over a Taiwan film festival to Thailand’s more explicit support for Beijing’s position on reunification, the Taiwan question is becoming increasingly entangled with domestic divisions over democracy, authoritarianism and China’s influence.


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Thailand’s support for the ‘one-China policy’, alongside Taiwan’s expanding cultural and diplomatic outreach, is bringing cross-strait tensions into Thailand’s domestic political sphere.

09/09/2026

THE PHILIPPINES PURSUES DIVERSIFICATION WITHOUT DECOUPLING

The Philippines’ proposed New Clark City industrial hub could help diversify supply chains and attract new US investment. But Manila wants US capital and technology without abandoning mineral networks tied to China.

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The Philippines’ proposed New Clark City industrial hub could help diversify supply chains and attract new US investment.

09/09/2026

A MISSED OPPORTUNITY? CRITICAL MINERALS AND THE US-VIETNAM COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

During former US President Joseph Biden’s September 2023 visit to Hanoi, the United States and Vietnam announced a “double upgrade” to the bilateral partnership, elevating ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

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During former US President Joseph Biden’s September 2023 visit to Hanoi, the United States and Vietnam announced a “double upgrade” to the bilateral partnership, elevating ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

04/09/2026

HOW DO ASEAN COUNTRIES FARE IN MANAGING GLOBAL ECONOMIC SHOCKS?

Geopolitical conflict, energy disruptions and shifting global supply chains are testing Southeast Asia’s economic resilience. ASEANFocus+ asked regional experts how individual countries are responding and whether ASEAN has the tools to collectively manage the next shock.

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04/09/2026

WHY IS INDONESIA BEING DRAWN INTO CHINA’S TAIWAN GAMBIT?

On 12 August, the PLA Navy frigate Honghe and the Indonesian Navy frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai conducted a naval drill east of Taiwan Both Jakarta and Beijing described the drill as a maritime passage exercise (PASSEX). According to the head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service, the Indonesian frigate conducted the PASSEX while returning home from a naval exercise with the Russian Navy in Vladivostok.

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On 12 August, the PLA Navy frigate Honghe and the Indonesian Navy frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai conducted a naval drill east of Taiwan Both Jakarta a

03/09/2026

SAME PARTNER, DIFFERENT RESPONSES WHY CHINA RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO JAPAN’S SECURITY TIES WITH VIETNAM AND THE PHILIPPINES

In the first half of 2026, Japan stepped up its defence engagements with Vietnam and the Philippines by participating in multilateral military exercises, expanding its Official Security Assistance to include lethal arms exports, and holding strategic dialogues.

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In the first half of 2026, Japan stepped up its defence engagements with Vietnam and the Philippines by participating in multilateral military exercises, expanding its Official Security Assistance

03/09/2026

TOUGH AND TIMELY: JAPAN’S 2026 DEFENSE WHITE PAPER

Featuring an anime-style cover, the Japanese Defense Ministry released its annual Defense White Paper on August 4.

The White Paper, themed Security for The Future, bears a manga-style cover by popular illustrator Hitomi Kariy. The ministry framed the artwork as meant to convey “a futuristic cityscape built through technological advancements and the smiles of the youth who will live in that future.”

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Featuring an anime-style cover, the Japanese Defense Ministry released its annual Defense White Paper on August 4.