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Description:
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Thesis (M.A.L.S.)--Georgetown University, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references.; Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. This thesis examines America's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization presently made up of ten Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia. The aim of this thesis is to trace the improvement in U.S.-ASEAN relations under the Barack H. Obama Administration, which has sought to separate itself from President George W. Bush's policies and to restore America's relationship with the region through a re-engagement policy on the political-security, trade, and socio-cultural levels. Under President Bush, the U.S.-ASEAN relationship was strained because he focused mainly on the terrorist threat, especially after the September 11, 2001 bombings on the United States. Since the region, specifically Indonesia, has the largest Muslim population, he regarded it as the "second front" in the war on terrorism.; The scope of the thesis covers the period of the Obama Administration from 2009 to the first six months of 2011. However, the background information on the U.S.-ASEAN relationship dates back to 1967. The organization of the thesis is in six parts. Chapter I, "Introduction: A Review of U.S.-ASEAN Relations, 1967-2008," traces the major benchmarks in their relationship from ASEAN's founding until the end of the George W. Bush Administration. Chapter II, "Barack Obama's Rise to the Presidency and its Effects on the U.S.-ASEAN Relationship," discusses President Obama's unique background and connection to Southeast Asia and how his understanding of the region has positively impacted his ASEAN policy. Chapter III, "U.S.-ASEAN Relations in 2009, Obama's First Year as President," examines the early implementation of his re-engagement policy on the political-security, trade, and socio-cultural levels. Chapter IV, "U.S.-ASEAN Relations in 2010, Obama's Second Year as President," analyzes the continuity and change in his policy towards Southeast Asia. Chapter V, "U.S.-ASEAN Relations in 2011, Obama's Third Year as President," deals with his administration's relationship with each ASEAN country. Chapter VI, "Conclusion: An Assessment of President Obama's Re-Engagement Policy with ASEAN," reviews his policy towards Southeast Asia, noting both cooperation and tension and prospects for the future.
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