Frank O’Donnell analyses how economic disruption and internal dysfunction in Washington DC are undermining trust with allies, even as the United States seeks to reinforce its strategic presence in the region. Aggressive protectionist tariffs have eroded trust, fiscal capacity, and policy coherence, making US commitments appear increasingly unreliable. In response, Asia-Pacific allies and partners must prioritise self-reliance and multilateral cooperation that does not hinge on US leadership.

Elina Noor writes on how the US’ new AI diffusion framework reflects broader US-China tech rivalry and its implications for Southeast Asia, where most ASEAN countries fall into a grey zone of conditional access. She examines how ASEAN countries are navigating this shifting terrain through strategic investments, while also questioning whether current AI strategies are sustainable or equitable in the long run. She suggests that Malaysia should consider shepherding a people-centred, people-oriented approach to designing, developing and deploying AI during its chairmanship year.

APLN has over 160 members from 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific.
Each week we feature their latest contributions
to global and regional security debates.