Review: Demons Haunt Southeast Asia Indo-Pacific Futures
New book argues that the region must “exorcise its demons and escape a geopolitical nightmare” to prevent a future where it is drowned by severe challenges.
A new book argues that Southeast Asia must “exorcise its demons and escape a geopolitical nightmare” to prevent a future where the Indo-Pacific region is drowned by severe challenges that undermine its geoeconomic potential.
WonkCount: 1,237 words (~6 minutes)
Review: Demons Haunt Southeast Asia Indo-Pacific Futures
Context
“Some pressures will be overt…others may be subtle — seeking to influence opinions, shape narratives, or even sow division among our people,” Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned regarding pressures from competing major powers in a speech this week1. Wong’s comments echo the increasing concerns voiced publicly by regional leaders on this front as evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic agenda items head closer towards the second quarter of 2026.
Select Key Recent Developments Involving Major Powers and Southeast Asia
A new book From Southeast Asia to the Indo-Pacific by scholar Amitav Acharya argues that Southeast Asia needs to urgently “escape a geopolitical nightmare” to prevent a future where the Indo-Pacific region is consumed by severe challenges that undermine its geoeconomic potential2. In doing so, it adds to a series of new books on the subject, including ones we have recently reviewed here on ASEAN Wonk. From Southeast Asia to the Indo-Pacific argues that while Southeast Asian states were able to manage past phases of geopolitical competition through initiatives like the creation of ASEAN or bilateral trade pacts, this is no guarantee the region will be able to “exorcise its demons” in the future given the new and severe array of challenges that confront it today3. “Will the Indo-Pacific idea sink ASEAN, drowning the very idea of Southeast Asia?” the book provocatively asks early on before revealing key factors that can help forecast regional futures4.
Analysis
The book also highlights key scenarios to watch in regional futures (see originally-generated ASEAN Wonk table below for a summary of important contours. Paying subscribers can also read the rest of the “Analysis” section and “Implications” section looking at how these dynamics play out in the future).
Future Scenario Labels, Major Policy Contours and Key Datapoints to Watch
