Lecture Abstract:

Between October 25 and October 31, East Asia hosted a flurry of high stake regional and bilateral summits, including a US-China Summit. What can we learn from this snapshot of high-stake diplomacy regarding the state of the global order and the East Asian order?  What is the impact of Japan’s new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on the regional scene?

Dean Yves Tiberghien will offer an insider analysis and present key takeaways on fast-changing East Asian geopolitics.

Lecture Summary:

As part of TSE’s new Critical Event series, Dean Yves Tiberghien delivers his presentation titled “Global Order Transition in Real Time: Debriefing Recent Asian Summits and the New Japanese PM,” where he examines the evolving dynamics of Asian and global order amid recent diplomatic summits and leadership transitions. Tiberghien emphasizes Asia’s increasing convening power, highlighting how regional forums, such as ASEAN, now rival or exceed traditional venues like the G20 in shaping security and economic cooperation. ASEAN’s strong institutionalization and emphasis on peace-building, alongside Korean soft power, illustrate the growing influence of regional actors beyond the US–China “G2” axis.

Tiberghien critiques the US–China-centric framing of global order, noting that other actors, particularly within Asia, play decisive roles. He observes tensions within ASEAN, such as Malaysia’s perceived over-accommodation of US positions, which frustrated Indonesia’s former Minister of Tourism and Creative Industry, Mari Pangestu. While the US has stabilized alliances for now, the lecture underscores that strategic influence in the region remains contested.

A major focus is Japan under its new Prime Minister, Kanae Takaichi, the first woman to hold the office. Takaichi represents a potential disrupting factor in both economic and hard security domains. Though conservative, she is expected to moderate her positions to maintain political stability. Tiberghien situates her leadership within a period of global volatility, urging the need for mindfulness and strategic patience in interpreting rapid developments. In a period of rapid change and volatility, Professor Tiberghien emphasizes strategic mindfulness, reflection, and patience, captured in his mindfulness guidance of taking a message from whales, to navigate complex regional and global dynamics.

Composed by: Nicole Richi (TSE senior student)