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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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March 11, 2019

What’s in the New Brunei-New Zealand Defense Dialogue?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the significance of a recent development in the bilateral defense relationship.
March 11, 2019

Japan-Vietnam Defense Relations in Focus With Military Chief Visit

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The recent trip by a high-level Vietnamese defense delegation spotlighted ongoing activity in the bilateral relationship.

February 28, 2019

How Far Does the China Belt and Road ‘Pushback’ Really Go?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
While the BRI has no doubt suffered serious setbacks, one should be wary about overestimating or misreading them.

February 28, 2019

How Would Anwar Ibrahim Change Malaysia’s Foreign Policy as Prime Minister?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
While the question may be difficult to answer, it is worth asking given how little we know thus far and how much Malaysia has on its plate.

February 27, 2019

Vietnam’s Foreign Policy in the US-North Korea Summit Spotlight

By Prashanth Parameswaran
While the focus will be on the U.S. and North Korea, the summit shows Vietnam’s growing role in regional and global affairs.
February 26, 2019

New Defense Training Puts Singapore’s Cyber Challenge Into Focus

By Prashanth Parameswaran
Announcements last week spotlighted some of the ongoing activity by the Southeast Asian state in the cyber defense realm.

February 25, 2019

What’s in the New US-Philippines Alliance 'Update' Talks?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
Both sides continue to pursue talks on how to review and update their alliance relationship in the face of risks and opportunities.
February 25, 2019

Defense Chief Introductory Visit Puts Singapore-Australia Security Ties in Focus

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The new Australian defense chief’s first trip to the Southeast Asian state highlighted some of the ongoing activity in the security side of the relationship.

February 23, 2019

What’s in Indonesia’s New Natuna Fishing Zone in the South China Sea?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A recent statement has spotlighted Jakarta’s ongoing efforts in this respect.

February 22, 2019

US-China 5G War: Southeast Asia Battleground in Focus with Huawei’s First Test Bed Launch

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A recent development has spotlighted the subregion’s role within the broader conversation about the perceived security risks in working with Chinese firms in this realm.

February 22, 2019

What’s Behind Malaysia’s New Defense White Paper Talk?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at the one of the new government’s key priorities in the security realm.
February 22, 2019

What Does Singapore’s New Military Budget Say About its Defense Priorities?

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

Page 44 of 188