The Diplomat  |  Author

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
Page 46 of 188
February 09, 2019

What Does Thailand’s Royal Shockwave Mean for its Future Politics?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at what an unprecedented development might mean for upcoming elections and the country’s political future.
February 07, 2019

Indonesia’s 2019 Elections: Beware the Foreign Puppet Wars in the Jokowi-Prabowo Race

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The role of foreign influence has unsurprisingly featured among the issues in Indonesia’s upcoming general elections.

February 07, 2019

Terrorism Threat Puts Russia-Philippines Military Ties Into Focus

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A recent meeting highlighted the counterterrorism dimension of a limited but growing defense relationship.

February 07, 2019

China’s Creeping South China Sea Challenge in the Spotlight With New Facility

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The muted Philippine response has exacerbated existing concerns about the regional response to Beijing's maritime claims.

February 06, 2019

Defense Minister Introductory Visit Puts Singapore-Australia Security Ties in the Headlines

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The interaction highlighted some of the ongoing activity between the two sides in the defense realm.
February 06, 2019

The Future of Singapore’s Politics in Focus Amid Election Speculation

By Prashanth Parameswaran
Developments in the country’s politics have come under greater scrutiny ahead of the next polls.  

February 05, 2019

China-Cambodia Military Fears in the Headlines with New US Intelligence Report

By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at recent headlines about Beijing’s growing military presence in the Southeast Asian state and their wider significance.
February 05, 2019

Where Is the New ASEAN ‘Our Eyes’ Intelligence Initiative Headed?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
While the initiative continues to make headway, challenges remain with respect to its operationalization.

February 05, 2019

Defense Dialogue Puts France-Singapore Security Ties Into Focus

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The recent iteration of the dialogue spotlighted the ways both sides are attempting to advance security collaboration.

February 02, 2019

What’s Behind the Fears of China’s Takeover of a Philippines Shipyard?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The issue has raised broader questions about the security risks of Beijing’s involvement in certain industries overseas.

February 01, 2019

Where Is Malaysia’s Mahathir-Anwar Transition?

By Prashanth Parameswaran
Given Malaysia’s history and the implications for its future, the dynamics of the so-called transition bear careful watching.
February 01, 2019

Pavin Chachavalpongpun on Thailand's Politics

By Prashanth Parameswaran
The wild world of Thai politics in 2019 and beyond.

Page 46 of 188