Events

Strategic Foresight

Towards a Post-US Regional Security Order in East Asia?
Europe/Amsterdam 04 2014 16:30
Introduction

On Thursday 27 November a seminar was held in Brussels on occasion of the launch of the book Changing Security Dynamics in East Asia: A Post-US Regional Order in the Making? (Eds. Atanassova-Cornelis E., van der Putten F.-P., Palgrave, 2014). It examined the impact of the present-day strategic uncertainty in Asia about the future US role on the perceptions and behaviour of the US, China and Asian countries. The seminar also looked at the implications of regional uncertainties for the evolving Asian order, and how this is relevant for the European Union’s approach to East Asian security and for the transatlantic partnership.

There is a significant uncertainty about the US security commitment to East Asia over the next 15–20 years, underpinned by China’s economic and military rise. This uncertainty affects the present-day strategic perceptions and behaviour of East Asian countries, and of the US itself. Under its ‘rebalance to Asia’ policy, the Obama administration has undertaken various measures to assure its partners in Asia that the US has both the intention and capacity to remain engaged in the region. However, doubts about the sustainability of Washington’s security commitments do remain in East Asia.

This strategic uncertainty and the responses it triggers by regional players are shaping Asia’s evolving security order.  What do these changing regional dynamics in Asia mean for Europe? The European Union strives to strengthen its involvement in East Asian security, not least by seeking a membership in several regional fora that have been established in recent years.

Doubts about Washington’s future security role in East Asia may well influence the possibilities that are open to Brussels for achieving its objectives. Moreover, how the US responds to strategic uncertainty is likely to affect the transatlantic relations, as well as a possible US-EU cooperation on Asian security.

Expert seminar & Book launch

What is the impact of the present-day strategic uncertainty in Asia about the future US role on the perceptions and behaviour of the US, China and Asian countries? What are the implications of regional uncertainties for the evolving Asian order, and how this is relevant for the EU’s approach to East Asian security and for the transatlantic partnership?

These and other issues are up for debate on 27 November, in a seminar co-organized by the European Institute for Asian Studies, Madariaga-College of Europe Foundation, and Clingendael. This coincides with the launch of the book Changing Security Dynamics in East Asia: A Post-US Regional Order in the Making?, edited by Elena Atanassova-Cornelis and Frans-Paul van der Putten (Palgrave, 2014). 

Seminar Program

16:00-16:30 Registration

16:30-17:45   Session 1:
Strategic Uncertainty and the Asian Security Order 

Chair:
David Fouquet, Senior Associate, European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

Speakers:
Elena Atanassova-Cornelis, University of Antwerp and Université Catholique de Louvain
Frans-Paul van der Putten, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael
Shi Yinhong, Renmin University of China, Beijing
Nick Bisley, La Trobe University, Australia

17:45-19:00   Session 2 - Roundtable:
The EU’s Role in Asia’s Evolving Regional Order

Chair:
Jing Men, InBev-Baillet Latour Professor of European Union - China Relations, College of Europe (tbc)

With introductions by
Michael Reiterer, Senior Advisor, Asia-Pacific Department, European External Action Service
Theresa Fallon, Senior Associate, European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

19:00   Reception

To register for this event, please visit here.

More information about the book is available here.