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Prashanth Parameswaran

Prashanth Parameswaran

Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran is a Senior Columnist at The Diplomat, a Fellow at the Wilson Center’s Asia Program, and the Founder of the weekly ASEAN Wonk newsletter.

Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran is a Senior Columnist at The Diplomat, a Fellow at the Wilson Center’s Asia Program, and the Founder of the weekly ASEAN Wonk newsletter, a research hub focused on advancing a global and comprehensive approach to analyzing Southeast Asia and Indo-Pacific foreign and security policy.

A political scientist by training, Dr. Parameswaran’s research and analysis focuses on Southeast Asian political and security issues, Asian defense affairs, U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific and global geopolitical and geoeconomic developments. He has held roles linked to think tanks, media, business, and government in the United States and in the Asia-Pacific.

Dr. Parameswaran has conducted grant-based field research across the region, consulted for companies and governments, taught courses affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State, and authored policy reports, journal articles, and book chapters on Asian affairs. His research and commentary have been published widely in the United States and across the region in leading publications and journals including CNN, The Washington Post, The South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, Asia Policy, and Contemporary Southeast Asia. His first book, Elusive Balances: Shaping U.S.-Southeast Asia Strategy, which was published in 2022, developed an original framework for understanding major power commitments to regions and applied it to the evolution of U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia.

Dr. Parameswaran holds a Ph.D. and an MA focused on international relations, international business, and U.S. foreign policy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a BA in foreign affairs and peace and conflict studies from the University of Virginia.

Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn, and get in touch via email.

Posts by Prashanth Parameswaran
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February 25, 2020

Philippines Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities in the Headlines With Training

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The Southeast Asian state has continued ongoing efforts to develop a recently acquired capability.
February 25, 2020

Who Will Form Malaysia’s New Government After the End of the Pakatan Harapan Coalition?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
With the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s demise, the focus has quickly shifted to the political realignments to form a new government and what this could mean for the country’s future.

February 24, 2020

Defense Meeting Puts Japan-Vietnam Security Ties into Focus

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The recent consultation highlighted what both sides are emphasizing in 2020 within the defense aspect of the relationship.

February 24, 2020

What’s in the Thailand Air Force’s New White Paper?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at a key document and what it means for the country’s defense capabilities.  

February 24, 2020

What Does Singapore’s New Defense Budget Say About the Country’s Security Thinking?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the city-state’s initial allocation for defense spending this year.
February 21, 2020

UK Navy Vessel Vietnam Visit Highlights Defense Cooperation  

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The courtesy visit spotlighted the ongoing development of security ties between the two countries.

February 20, 2020

Thailand’s Helicopter Needs in Focus with New Deal

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The order from Airbus Helicopters highlighted an aspect of Bangkok’s wider efforts to build up its capabilities.
February 20, 2020

What Does the New Australia-ASEAN Informal Defense Ministers’ Meeting Mean for the Future of Security Ties?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the importance of a recent development amid wider trends.

February 19, 2020

Interview: Understanding Total Competition and China’s Challenge in the South China Sea

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A conversation with Patrick Cronin and Ryan Neuhard analyzing Beijing’s behavior in the South China Sea, its wider regional ambitions, and how to respond.

February 18, 2020

What Will the 2020 Cobra Gold Military Exercise Look Like?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The drills will be closely watched for an indication of U.S.-Thailand alliance dynamics and the state of regional collaboration amid wider developments.

February 18, 2020

Germany-Singapore Defense Relations in the Spotlight With Munich Security Conference Ministerial Meeting

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A recent engagement highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the two sides in the security realm.
February 12, 2020

What Will the Next China-Cambodia Golden Dragon Military Exercise Look Like?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at potential continuity and change in what would be the fourth set of drills between the two countries.

Page 11 of 188