Southeast Asia no longer an afterthought

A discussion on U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia was held at the Woodrow Wilson Center. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Scot Marciel spoke at the event and gave his updates and opinions on the matter.

Marciel admitted that countries of Southeast Asia are often a mere afterthought when Americans think of Asia. He pointed out that the impression he received from all his travels to Southeast Asian countries was that Southeast Asia wants more engagement with the U.S. in terms of greater trade and investment, more educational exchange and a partnership to help resolve problems. Marciel noted that, thus far, the U.S. has spent more than $200 million on health assistance in Southeast Asian countries.

While the relationship between the U.S. and Southeast Asia appears to be flourishing, Marciel emphasized that there are more areas to work on such as economics, food and energy security as well as promoting reform in places such as Burma. Marciel said that the final challenge was to ‘get the word out’ on the different aspects of partnership that the U.S. and Southeast Asia are participating in.