Rahman Yaacob

Susannah Patton, Deputy Director at the Lowy Institute, and Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow specializing in Southeast Asian defense diplomacy, dive into the Southeast Asia Influence Index project. They explore the complex geopolitics of the region, revealing that China holds a slight lead over the US in influence. The duo discusses surprising findings, like India's limited reach, and highlights the importance of middle powers. They emphasize the need for Southeast Asian countries to diversify their partnerships amid growing external pressures.