Description
After decades of peace and prosperity, the nations of Southeast Asia must now face the challenges of restoring economic growth following the impact of the pandemic. The Association for Southeast Asian Nations 10 (ASEAN10) must also manage relations with a more assertive and powerful China while maintaining important ties with the US. The Biden administration has pledged to strengthen diplomacy and dialogue. However, the US role and influence in the region have declined. This session focuses on current security issues, political developments, economic trends and their implications for US interests. Presented in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Albuquerque.
Ambassador William Itoh is a Senior Advisor with McLarty Associates, an international business consulting firm. He also serves as professor of the practice in the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He is a retired Foreign Service officer and served as executive secretary of the National Security Council at the White House and as Ambassador to Thailand.