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.

Professor and Chair of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Department of Political Science and International Affairs Chairman Elizabeth Freund Larus commented on the South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines. Five years after the SCS arbitration decision in favor of the Philippines, Manila accuses China of continuing to harass Filipino fisherman in the Philippines’ EEZ. The UN lacks an enforcement mechanism to back its 2016 decision, leaving the US as guarantor of maritime security in the region. Professor Larus’ comments to Indus News begin at 4:28 minutes into the program, viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwRsTUkI0SI

Professor and Chair of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus was interviewed about the fate of Taiwan for a segment on Intelligence Squared.

The fate of Taiwan is uncertain. As a revanchist China builds up forces near the island, the Biden administration is warning Beijing against an invasion, bolstering its defense with the sale of military hardware. While the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan’s government, it remains its strongest international backer. Beijing, meanwhile, sees Taiwan as lost territory, which needs to be “reunified” with the mainland. Recently, Beijing sent 25 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, the largest ever incursion into the region by the People’s Liberation Army. And some argue that the scale of China’s military presence has already surpassed anything the U.S. or Taiwan militaries could stop. It is indefensible, both militarily and from a political capital perspective; the notion of risking American soldiers in this geostrategic flashpoint unthinkable. Others say American credibility is actually on the line, that the U.S. could indeed win if it had to, and that its political posturing should reflect that. So, here’s our question: Is Taiwan indefensible? Watch here. 

Dr. Larus also appeared on the podcast hosted by Harris Bricken, an international law firm, discussing the United States’ relationship with China. Listen here.