Institute of Politics

The student-led International Policy Program and the Society of International Relations jointly present, ASEAN Affairs in an Era of Strategic Competition. As geopolitical tensions rise and global powers reassess their priorities, the strategic significance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comes into the spotlight. Disputes in the South China Sea and developments from the Belt and Road Initiative have set the stage of rivalry between China and the US, competing for influence in the region. How do regional politics and alliances shape the stance of major players toward ASEAN? What are the roles of economic and territorial considerations in ASEAN’s geopolitical alignment? Are there shared perspectives within ASEAN countries? Joining the International Policy Program and the Society of International Relations to answer these exigent questions and spotlight ASEAN’s growing role in international politics are Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran and Paul Heer. Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran is a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center’s Asia Program, the CEO and Founder of ASEAN Wonk Global, and a Senior Columnist at the Diplomat. Paul Heer is the Former National Intelligence Officer for East Asia and a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.The event will be in-person in the IOP Living Room, with Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran and Paul Heer joining us virtually and in-person respectively, on February 2nd, 2024 at 12:00 PM. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be provided. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact iopevents@uchicago.edu.