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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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January 08, 2020

Deterrence and South China Sea Strategy: What Do the Latest China-Indonesia Natuna Tensions Tell Us?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A look at the broader implications of a recent episode for deterrence and the strategies of countries confronting China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.  
January 07, 2020

Strained Myanmar-Bangladesh Security Ties in Focus With Border Conference

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The engagement spotlighted ongoing efforts by both countries to continue to manage a contentious aspect of their relations.

January 07, 2020

Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Naval Patrols in the Headlines with Review Meeting

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The engagement spotlighted one facet of the broader bilateral security relationship between the two sides.

January 07, 2020

What’s Behind Malaysia’s North Korea Embassy Reopening Announcement?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the context behind the move as well as its potential significance.

January 07, 2020

Foreign Minister’s First ASEAN Voyage Spotlights Japan-Southeast Asia Relations in the Indo-Pacific

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The engagement will highlight Tokyo’s approach to the subregion within its broader foreign policy approach.
January 04, 2020

What Do Rising US-Iran Tensions Mean for Trump’s Asia Policy?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
Irrespective of its actual fallout, the killing of Qassem Suleimani will increase scrutiny on the administration’s foreign policy, its prioritization of Asia, and its ties with regional states.

January 04, 2020

Malaysia-Iran Relations: Rising Middle East Tensions Risk Complicating Pakatan Harapan’s Foreign Policy Balancing Act

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The killing of Qassem Soleimani is yet another reminder of the risks of Malaysia playing a more active role in the Middle East.
January 02, 2020

Malaysia-China Security Ties in the Spotlight with First Littoral Mission Ship Delivery

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The handover of the first capital defense asset acquired from China by Malaysia highlighted the ongoing status of a landmark security agreement between the two countries. The handover of the first capital defense asset acquired from China by Malaysia highlighted the ongoing status of a landmark security agreement between the two countries.

January 02, 2020

First Landing Tank Ship Puts Vietnam’s Naval Capabilities Into Focus

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The reported first highlighted an aspect of Hanoi’s broader ongoing effort to develop its military.

January 01, 2020

Assessing Southeast Asia in the 2010s: 5 Big Strategic Trends and How They May Shape the 2020s

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A look at five major developments that shaped the subregion in the decade.

December 31, 2019

Malaysia-Turkey Relations in Focus With New Military Pacts

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The new agreements spotlighted the continued attention to advancing the defense aspect of the relationship by the two countries.
December 31, 2019

What’s in Indonesia First Indigenous Medium-Range Strike Capable Drone?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the significance of the unveiling of the new capability.

Page 16 of 188