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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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December 31, 2019

What Would a Pluralist US Asia Policy Look Like?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
While the concept may help soothe worries of a bipolar framing of U.S.-China rivalry, whether it can be put into practice remains to be seen.
December 30, 2019

Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan Government Undertakes 3 New Defense Plans

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The country is planning on following through on its defense white paper launch with a series of additional plans.

December 30, 2019

What’s Next for the Philippines Multirole Fighter Program?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The Southeast Asian state continues to consider choices for its pursuit of additional fighter jets.

December 28, 2019

What Does Myanmar’s First Submarine Mean for Its Security and the Region?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the implications of the development for Naypyidaw and the wider region.

December 27, 2019

What’s in the New Vietnam-Cambodia Search and Rescue Exercise?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The new interaction highlighted some of the ongoing activity in the defense relationship amid wider challenges that ties continue to face.
December 26, 2019

Keel-Laying Ceremony Highlights Indonesia’s New Tank Landing Ships

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The development spotlighted one of several platforms that Indonesia is building out as part of its wider strengthening of its military capabilities.

December 25, 2019

Introductory Air Force Chief Visit Highlights Brunei-Thailand Defense Ties

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The interaction spotlighted the defense aspect of the relationship between the two Southeast Asian states.
December 24, 2019

What Does Malaysia’s New Islamic Summit Reveal About its Foreign Policy?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The engagement spotlighted the Malaysian government’s approach to Muslim issues within its wider global outlook.

December 24, 2019

Myanmar Air Force Capabilities in the Headlines with Anniversary Celebration

By Prashanth Parameswaran
This year’s iteration of the annual event spotlighted developments within the country’s ongoing effort to develop its military capabilities.

December 23, 2019

The Significance of an India-Philippines Brahmos Missile Deal

By Prashanth Parameswaran
Assuming the deal materializes as intended, its implications could extend beyond just the bilateral relationship.

December 11, 2019

Remembering Nakasone and US Asia Policy in the 1980s

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A look at the significance of the late Japanese premier through the lens of U.S. Asia policy during the period.
December 10, 2019

Suu Kyi’s Hague Appearance: Minding Myanmar’s Domestic Political Dynamics in the ICJ Genocide Case

By Prashanth Parameswaran
While much of the focus may be on her international image, it will be important to consider the domestic political dynamics at play in Myanmar as well.  

Page 17 of 188