Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus
PSIA Chairman Elizabeth Freund Larus commented on Vietnam national news on visits by U.S. government officials to Southeast Asia. Professor Larus gave U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin high marks for addressing COVID concerns and the lack of vaccines rather than the U.S.-China struggle. Southeast Asian economics rely on China for their economic prosperity, so they’re wary of being caught in the middle of an ideological struggle between the U.S. and China. In Vietnam, where the U.S. recently donated 3 million doses of the Moderna vaccines, Austin was able to discuss enhanced cooperation on maritime security. In the Philippines, Austin secured a major victory for the U.S. in its competition with China for influence in the region by compelling Philippine President Duterte to drop his threat to revoke the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement, an essential part of the U.S.-Philippine alliance. Professor Larus’ comments begin 10 minutes into the program, accessible at https://vnews.gov.vn/video/the-gioi-360-do-ngay-31-7-2021-218114.htm.