The global geopolitical landscape is in flux, with shifting power dynamics, emerging global challenges, and evolving national interests. For Malaysia, as a key Southeast Asian nation, the strategic choices it makes in response to the United States’ grand strategy will have far-reaching consequences for its future in the region.
Stephen Walt, the Robert and
Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School,
presents a realist framework for U.S. foreign policy, arguing for restraint,
strategic alliances, and a focus on economic and diplomatic power.
In this analysis, we will examine
how Malaysia should navigate U.S. grand strategy based on Walt’s insights,
balancing its own national interests while avoiding unnecessary entanglements
in global power struggles.
The Case for Restraint:
Managing U.S. Overreach
A central argument in Stephen
Walt’s realist approach is the idea of strategic restraint. According to Walt,
the U.S. has consistently overextended itself, particularly in the Middle East,
with interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have led to long-lasting
military entanglements without clear outcomes.
Walt argues that these
interventions, often driven by idealistic goals or misplaced ambitions, have
drained resources, strained the U.S. military, and created instability rather
than securing long-term peace.
For Malaysia, this framework
offers valuable lessons. As a nation situated in the heart of Southeast Asia,
Malaysia has historically maintained a policy of non-alignment, emphasizing
diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation without committing to military
interventions.
However, as global power dynamics
shift and the U.S. navigates a policy of selective engagement, Malaysia must
ensure that it avoids becoming a passive player in broader geopolitical
struggles. In particular, Malaysia should adopt Walt’s idea of restraint and
prioritize national interests over the desire to align with any particular
power, whether that’s the U.S., China, or regional powers.
Malaysia should focus on
strengthening its own regional relationships and cultivating economic ties with
both the U.S. and China, without being drawn into the rivalry between these two
superpowers.
While the U.S. remains an
important strategic partner for Malaysia particularly in trade, technology, and
defence, Malaysia should not overcommit itself to U.S. military or strategic
aims that do not align with its own national interests.
Instead, Malaysia should take a
pragmatic approach, ensuring that its involvement in global issues is aligned
with its core objectives: economic growth, regional stability, and the
protection of its sovereignty.
Emphasizing Practicality Over
Ideology
Another central tenet of Walt’s
realist philosophy is the importance of rational alliances. In his view, the
U.S. should pursue alliances based not on ideological affinity but on practical
considerations of security and mutual benefit. This is particularly relevant
for countries like Malaysia, which is situated in a volatile region where
global powers often vie for influence.
Historically, Malaysia has had a
delicate balancing act in managing its relationships with both the U.S. and
China. While Malaysia is part of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy, it has
also deepened economic and diplomatic ties with China, particularly through
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In the face of rising tensions between
the U.S. and China, Malaysia’s challenge lies in aligning itself strategically
without overcommitting to one side or the other.
Walt’s realist approach suggests
that Malaysia should continue to engage with both the U.S. and China, but in a
manner that prioritizes its own national interests rather than adhering to a
particular global bloc.
Malaysia could strengthen its
role in regional frameworks such as ASEAN, which provides a platform for
Southeast Asian nations to assert their collective interests. This ensures that
Malaysia’s foreign policy remains independent and non-aligned, allowing it to
negotiate favourable terms with both powers.
In practice, this means Malaysia
should avoid being drawn into security arrangements that would obligate it to
take sides in any future U.S.-China conflict. Instead, Malaysia should focus on
regional security architectures, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the
East Asia Summit (EAS), where it can foster multilateral diplomacy and engage
with both great powers while safeguarding its autonomy.
Leveraging Soft Power and
Economic Resilience
Stephen Walt emphasizes the
importance of economic strength as a cornerstone of U.S. national security. In
a realist framework, economic power not only enables countries to secure their
national interests but also acts as a tool of influence and soft power.
For Malaysia, this aspect of
Walt’s strategy is particularly relevant. As a rapidly developing economy in
Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s economic policies must prioritize self-reliance,
innovation, and global competitiveness.
A realist grand strategy for
Malaysia would involve strengthening its domestic economy to reduce dependency
on external powers. This could include investing in technological innovation,
enhancing trade relationships with key partners, and diversifying Malaysia’s
sources of foreign investment.
The country should continue to
work with the U.S. and China, but it should also look beyond these two powers,
cultivating relationships with other rising economies in Asia, Europe, and the
Middle East.
In addition, Malaysia should
continue to position itself as a key player in regional economic initiatives
like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
By promoting free trade and reducing barriers to investment, Malaysia can
ensure that it benefits from global economic integration while safeguarding its
own economic sovereignty.
Moreover, Malaysia’s economic
strategy should include an emphasis on developing its human capital. By
investing in education, fostering innovation, and promoting digital
transformation, Malaysia can ensure that it remains competitive in the global
economy.
A strong economic base would not
only support Malaysia’s national security but also provide it with the leverage
to influence global trade policies and investment flows.
Diplomacy and Soft Power
Finally, Stephen Walt advocates
for the use of diplomacy and soft power to shape global outcomes without
resorting to military intervention. In Malaysia’s context, this means
continuing to play a proactive role in multilateral institutions like the United
Nations, ASEAN, and the World Trade Organization. Malaysia should also enhance
its role as a mediator in regional conflicts and a champion of global issues
like climate change, non-proliferation, and human rights.
By building a reputation as a
neutral and constructive diplomatic actor, Malaysia can attract international
support for its policies and amplify its influence in global discussions. This
would also help Malaysia navigate the complex diplomatic terrain between the
U.S. and China, allowing it to maintain positive relations with both while
asserting its sovereignty in decision-making processes.
Moreover, Malaysia could further
enhance its soft power by promoting its culture, educational institutions, and
technological innovations on the global stage. By leveraging these non-coercive
forms of influence, Malaysia can build a reputation as a respected leader in
the region and beyond.
A Pragmatic, Balanced Approach
In conclusion, Malaysia’s
response to the U.S. grand strategy should be guided by a pragmatic, realist
approach that emphasizes strategic restraint, rational alliances, and economic
resilience.
Drawing on the insights of
Stephen Walt, Malaysia should avoid overcommitment to any one global power,
instead focusing on its national interests and strengthening its position
within regional and international frameworks.
By balancing its relationships
with both the U.S. and China, promoting economic independence, and using
diplomacy to enhance its global standing, Malaysia can navigate the
complexities of the current geopolitical environment and emerge as a key player
in the global order.
22.9.2025
Kuala Lumpur.
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Malaysia’s strategic response to the US’ grand strategy - Edited version.
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