Author Archive

Joshua Kurlantzick

Joshua Kurlantzick is a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Mr. Kurlantzick was most recently a scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he studied Southeast Asian politics and economics and China's relations with Southeast Asia, including Chinese investment, aid, and diplomacy. Previously, he was a fellow at the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy and a fellow at the Pacific Council on International Policy. Mr. Kurlantzick has also served as a columnist for Time, a special correspondent for the New Republic, a senior correspondent for the American Prospect, and a contributing writer for Mother Jones. He also serves on the editorial board of Current History. He is the winner of the Luce Scholarship for journalism in Asia and was selected as a finalist for the Osborn Elliot prize for journalism in Asia. His first book, Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power Is Transforming the World, was nominated for CFR's 2008 Arthur Ross Book Award. He is the author of the recently published book Democracy in Retreat.
Ideas

A New Kind of Populism is Threatening Southeast Asia

The region’s fast-growing but fragile democracies have been susceptible to strongmen and autocratic-leaning populists in recent years, propelled by concerns over inequality, crime, and dysfunctional governments.

Ideas

Revamp the International Officer Training Program Before Inviting Nations Like Myanmar

For 40 years, the U.S. program has helped strengthen ties with partner nations and their rising military stars. More can be done.

Ideas

The Rise of ISIS in Southeast Asia

Much of the region has witnessed a democratic regression that's fueling the spread of violent extremism.

Ideas

TPP’s Failure Wouldn’t Doom Washington’s Asia Strategy

A ‘no’ vote in Congress would be a setback, but there are other ways to counter China.

Policy

3 Ways To Boost the US-Vietnam Security Relationship

After a successful visit by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, it's not a question whether the U.S. can improve its ties with Vietnam, but how to best do it.

Policy

Can Thailand's Military Rule Without Martial Law?

Coup leader-turned prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is seeking even more power than he already had, complicating the country's move back toward democracy.

Threats

Should the US Move Its Cobra Gold War Games Out of Thailand?

Thailand’s democratic regression has strategic consequences for the U.S., which has yet to register a clear response to the ongoing military coup. By Joshua Kurlantzick

Policy

How the US Should Plan Around Thailand's Ongoing Coup

The latest military coup in Thailand may last a few dozen more months. Here's what the U.S. military can do to make the most of the uncertain situation. By Joshua Kurlantzick