On February 15–16, President Barack Obama will host the 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, at a special U.S.-ASEAN summit at the Sunnylands Estate in California. The Obama administration has prioritized engagement with ASEAN as a key pillar of its rebalance strategy to the Asia-Pacific, and this unique summit is an illustration of this new direction for U.S. policy in the region. U.S.-ASEAN relations are vital to U.S. economic competitiveness in the Asia-Pacific and an essential part of addressing key regional security issues, including maritime disputes in the South China Sea, nonproliferation, human trafficking, and climate change. This upcoming summit is sure to address these issues and more.
Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes to preview the U.S.-ASEAN summit.
Welcoming remarks:
Vikram Singh, Vice President, National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress
Featured guest:
Ben Rhodes, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting
Moderator:
Michael Fuchs, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress