The big geopolitical game in Asia is not military but economic – and a massive economic ecosystem centered on China is evolving in the region." Singaporean Diplomat Kishore Mahbubani Though we appear to think we are, we are not even in the Geopolitical game in the Indo-Pacific. As the distinguished Singaporean Kishore Mahbubani bluntly states, the geopolitical game in the Indo-Pacific is for economic influence, not military coercion, which China is adeptly playing. Instead of competing with China from a first economic and second security strategy to preserve its 70-year domination of the Indo-Pacific, America has chosen to extend the limits on its credit card to reassert and expand on its Cold War Security Containment Strategy. We see this in the creation of the QUAD, which pretends it can bring together in alliance nations whose economic and security interests vary and sometimes contradict America's Indo-Pacific interests. Along the QUAD, we have rejuvenated Cold War security alliances. We do not see that as the major trading partner for all our Cold War Indo-Pacific alliances: Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Korea. Thailand- is China, and America remains, on paper, at least, their security guarantor. America's policymakers believe the threat of force in the Indo-Pacific trumps opportunities to enhance prosperity. The challenge for America is to reimagine its Cold War alliances from simply a security focus appropriate to the Cold War to a new look at 21st-century alliance formations and partnerships that start with mutual economic interests, laced with necessary Security provisions, that end with mutual economic payoff. A geopolitical America First Interests vision in support of like-minded Allies and partners would be our starting point. Why is it not?
CODEL to Singapore: USG Needs to Stay Engaged in SE Asia With the need to show US continuing engagement and leadership in SE Asia, and the US Congress considering legislation on US-China competition, the importance and value of Members of Congress traveling to the region and speaking to the business community for a first-hand perspective becomes even more critical in ensuring the immense opportunity in ASEAN can be realized to benefit the US national interest and that US legislation enables companies to outcompete China. Thanks to US-ASEAN Business Council for organizing the opportunity to engage with key US Representatives on their visit to Singapore. Congressional Delegation: Rep. Young Kim (recipient of the 2023 AmChams of Asia Pacific DC Door Knock Award); Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Rep. Debbie Lesko; Rep. Jonathan Jackson; Rep. Kathy Manning Pictured: Blake Herzinger Jeremy Sturchio Nydia Ngiow Penny Burtt Marion Powell-Wust Thanks Brian McFeeters Sarah L. for arranging and running a great session. And to Congressional staff Eric Lee Ann E. Kowalewski Anubhav Gupta Allison “Ally” Schwartz and Embassy officers Deji Okediji Fred Brust for joining as well.