Bronson E. Percival

Bronson E. Percival, currently a Senior Advisor with CNA's Center for Strategic Studies, is a respected specialist on Southeast Asia, terrorism, and maritime security. During his career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, he reported on political and security issues from Lebanon to Indonesia. After teaching at the U.S. Naval War College, he returned to the State Department to lead the Southeast Asia Division in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and then coordinate counter-terrorism programs and policies in the East Asia Bureau. Percival's most recent book, The Dragon Looks South: China and Southeast Asia in the New Century (Westport, Conn: Praeger Security International, 2007), analyses China's goals and objectives in Southeast Asia, the region's response to China's initiatives, and the implications for U.S. interests. He holds an A.B. in International Relations from the University of California—Berkeley, an M.S. from the National War College, and completed course work and research in India for the University of Chicago's Ph.D. program before entering the Foreign Service.

Recent Work: Strategy in the Indian Ocean; India’s relations with Southeast Asia; security aspects of the comprehensive U.S-Indonesian strategic partnership.

Publications of Interest:

• The Dragon Looks South: China and Southeast Asia in the New Century (Praeger Security International, June 2007).
• The United States and the Asia-Pacific Region: Security Strategy for the Obama Administration, (contributor), March 2009.
• “Clinton Prelude: What Next With Southeast Asia?” PACNET No. 16, February 2009.
• A Strategy for U.S.-Indian Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (contributor), September 2008.
• “Countering Terrorism in Asia,” in America’s Role in Asia, Asia Foundation, August 2008.
• U.S. Interest & Policies in the Pacific, (contributor), March 2008.
• Piracy in the Indian Ocean: Implications for the U.S. Navy, February 2007.
• Maritime Security in Southeast Asia: Shaping Indonesia and Malaysia, December 2006.
• “Japan in Southeast Asia: Playing Catch-up with China,” Comparative Connections, October 2006.
• “China’s Influence in Southeast Asia: Implications for the United States,” Testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s hearings on “China’s Global Influence: Objectives and Strategies,” July 22, 2005.

Recent Talks and Presentations:

• February 2010: “Southeast Asian Threat Perceptions of China” – testimony at Congressional hearings on China’s Activities in Southeast Asia and the Implications for U.S. interests.