Thread by @CSISIndonesia

Mark your calendar!
#CSISLectureSeries
"The Indo-Pacific Idea: Myth and Reality"
Speaker: Amitav Acharya
Monday, 22 October 2018 | 13.30-15.30
RSVP 📧 ☎️

A kind reminder for all to come to CSIS’s #CSISLectureSeries!

We will have the speaker Amitav Acharya speaking on “The Indo-Pacific Idea: Myth and Reality”.

Details can be seen on the tweet in this thread!

@AmitavAcharya’s lecture begin with stating that, although the Indo-Pacific has been greatly talked about, the concept have not been given much in-depth debate. At this point many discussion needs to be had to decide if it is a myth, or a reality.

Amitav Acharya: Asian regionalism began with anti-great power and anti-colonial power identities. Through several conference, particularly the Bandung Conference, Asian countries took center stage in defining the “region” while big powers were not given space.

Amitav Acharya: The definition of regions is dynamic and politically constructed. In Asia, this can be seen across the years by the change of names that were given to its forums and conferences, from Asia to Southeast Asia, to Asia Pacific, to East Asia.

Amitav Acharya: Currently, changes in the process of Asian regionalism is significantly impacted by the rise of China. By developing China-centric institutions in the relation between China and ASEAN such as the Belt Road Initiative, China now carries a new regional influence.

Amitav Acharya: Although there is still debate on this, there are some trends that we can observe on the regionalism process of the Indo-Pacific. First, it is a more middle-power led initiative than it is an ASEAN-led initiative.

Amitav Acharya: Second, it seems to prioritize geopolitical security interests more than the interest of normative inclusiveness. Third, as of now, a common identity between countries in the “Indo-Pacific” region has yet to be seen.

Amitav Acharya: The challenge Indonesia face is how to balance these debates & trends? How to balance the normative & inclusive principles common in ASEAN institutions with the strong drive for an emphasis in strategic cooperation. Where the line will be drawn, we'll have to see.