Minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific

Bhubhindar Singh is Associate Professor, Coordinator of the Regional Security Architecture Programme, and Head of Graduate Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.Sarah Teo is Associate Research Fellow with the Regional Security Architecture Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

• Acknowledgements List of contributors Introduction: minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific (Bhubhindar Singh and Sarah Teo) 1. Minilateralism and US security policy in the Indo-Pacific: the legacy, viability, and deficiencies of a new security approach (William T. Tow) 2. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and Indo-Pacific minilateralism: resurrection without renewal? (Andrew O’Neil and Lucy West) 3. The future of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue: possibilities and challenges (Tomohiko Satake) 4. Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: minilateralism in institutional building and its implications (Xue Gong) 5. Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: the latest stage of China’s hydro-politics (Shang-su Wu) 6. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and ASEAN centrality (Huong Le Thu) 7. Minilateralism in Southeast Asia: facts, opportunities, and risks (Vannarith Chheang) 8. ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus: multilateralism mimicking minilateralism? (See Seng Tan) Index

'Across the Indo-Pacific, states are turning to minilateral groupings to address issues of common concern, and away from traditional multilateral institutions. This timely book analyses why this has occurred and what consequences it may have for the security of the region. Bringing together an expert team of scholars, it makes an incisive contribution to our understanding of minilateralism as an evolving phenomenon and emerging practice.' - Ian Hall, Professor, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia'The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore has long been the world’s leading authority on Asian security cooperation. This volume, edited by two of its rising stars, brings together a stellar lineup to study an increasingly central, but underexamined, form of collaboration. As multilateralism and traditional alliances each confront existential challenges in this increasingly important region, minilateralism is coming to the fore. This excellent book is thus a must read for scholars, practitioners, journalists and students of Asian security alike.' - Brendan Taylor, Professor of Strategic Studies, Australian National University'In this prescient volume, Singh and Teo bring together leading experts in the field to explore an understudied but important aspect of Asia’s evolving regional architecture: the rise and prevalence of minilateral initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. In a period of increasing uncertainty and dissatisfaction with current bilateral and multilateral arrangements, Minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific is a must read for any serious student, scholar, and policymaker interested in Asian affairs.' - Andrew Yeo, Associate Professor of Politics, The Catholic University of America