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Birmanie : politique étrangère et évolution intérieure [Burma and the Outside World]
JAGAN Larry - ÉGRETEAU Renaud
(Book in English)
Plagued with a continuing political stalemate and an appalling economic situation, Burma looks a sorry figure. The brutality of the Military regime (in power since 1962) and its incapacity to take in hand the socio-economic development of one of Asia’s poorest country, have created many internal tensions passed on by most of the western countries which have so far rarely showed any expressions of sympathy towards the Burmese junta.
But many strategic stakes in and around Burma have to be pointed out. As one of the main narcotic crossroads in the world (opium/heroin as well as methamphetamines), Burma lies in a strategic position between India, China and Asia. Part of the ASEAN, it could benefit from a vast human potential and natural resources that could kindle many foreign investors. But the current domestic gridlock with a military regime enjoying nevertheless the ostracism it is the object of, prevents the country from any political or even economic transition in the near future.
This project will aim at assessing Burma’s current situation by analyzing first the political background as well as the important socio-economic issues of contemporary Burma, to draw up some global trends and to see where stands the country today. What is Burma’s place in Asia ? It will then focus on the way the Burmese Military deals with the outside world. What is the impact of the Burmese junta’s presence on the regional order and what could be its role ? Is this “outside world” a constraint or an asset to Burma’s transition ?  
Hydro-diplomatie du Mékong [The Mekong: from hydro-politics to hydro-diplomacy?]
AFFELTRANGER Bastien
(Book in French)
The issue of water resources on the Mekong, lie at the core of various regional challenges. These include: access to natural resources, economic competition, the struggle for influence and the balance of politico-military forces. Being both a cause to and a consequence of these challenges, the harnessing of the river’s resources bears witness to the hydro-political landscape brought about by these diverse, often diverging, interests. The Mekong is indeed the driving force of hydro-electric production in Yunnan; a navigable waterway for trade activities in Laos (and even more for those transiting through it); a strategic asset for the agricultural development of the Khorat plateau (Thailand); a resource for irrigation and fishing in Cambodia (Tonle Sap lake); and finally a key factor of agricultural production in the Mekong delta (Vietnam).
To start with, the Mekong was and remains a meeting place of ideology(ies); at first with the East-West face-off, later through different conceptions and visions of regional development. This is particularly the case with the technical options to be selected (or not) for harnessing water resources- the downstream players do not necessarily share their upstream neighbours’ interest in constructing a dam on the Mekong’s main stream – or on a major tributary to it.
Water resource management therefore fluctuates permanently between hydrological problems, and economic and geopolitical interests. These tensions are reflected in both the need for an environmental regime on the Mekong (river basin organisation), and the difficulty encountered in creating it.
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) that comprises the four Lower-Mekong countries (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam), is an institutional mechanism established in 1995, based on a co-operation process initiated in the 1950’s. This process has survived regional conflicts, at the cost of considerable distrust, perceptible even today. China (Yunnan province) and Myanmar (Burma) are observers to this process, and take part to this regional dialogue.
The objective of this study is to present the hydropolitical landscape of the Mekong basin. Water resource management, and the political dimension of it, are selected as the main line of analysis: at local, national and regional levels. 
Le Rôle de la BAD dans le développement de la péninsule Indochinoise [The ADB's role in the Indochinese Peninsula's Development]
FAURE Guy
(book in French)
Reflecting on the development of Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) is the main priority of IRASEC research in the coming years. Firstly, the Institute is launching work on the activities of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that plays the main role in the region’s development. In this context, the project concerning the ADB, an international organization that has not been studied much and in which Japanese initiatives are predominant, will constitute the first stage in a series of works given over to the GMS.
As far as disciplines are concerned, a number of special topics will be touched upon, ranging from history to management, including geography, political science, economic development, finance, ecology, international relations and also international law.  
L’alter-révolution verte en Thaïlande [The green alter-revolution in Thailand]
Le succès d’un développement agricole sur un mode extensif [Success of agricultural development in an extensive mode]
POUPON Roland
(book in French)
Since the signing of the Bowring Treaty between Siam and Great Britain in 1855, Thailand has remained a major rice and processed seafood exporter in the world. In spite of this, the country has never been up to date with the major innovations that have marked the world’s rice cultivation landscape.
This program will explore the apparent paradox between two tangible characteristics of Thai agriculture: on the one hand, Thailand has one of the world’s largest surplus productions, and not in the Asian context (Thailand has been the leading rice exporter for the last 20 years); on the other, it is one of the least productive (in Asia, only Afghanistan, Bhutan and Cambodia produce less rice). Again, while it has generated fortunes in industry and food processing, its producers are probably left in great misery as they practice subsistence farming. 
L’Asie du Sud-Est après la crise [Southeast Asia After The Crisis]
BOISSEAU du ROCHER Sophie
(Book in French)
Southeast Asia has undergone a very profound crisis that the general press overlooked, giving importance to the consequences of the growth rate which finally does not throw much light on the state of societies or on the foundations of political balance. Occasionally, through incidents of hostage-taking, or assassinations ending in a bloodbath, or the devastating effects of a murderous Tsunami, highlighted and then analysed in detail, one tries to explain why the situation does not improve, and sometimes deteriorates. Then, without understanding why Indonesia is not able to stabilize, although it showed a growth rate of more than 4% in 2004, one moves on to other subjects equally important for the region’s future, like the emergence of the Chinese pole or Japan’s possible recovery from recession. In this scenario of an Asia being reshaped, not many keep up their interest in Southeast Asia. The Asian crisis is the result of different factors that, put together, proved disastrous. Some analysts think this is due to internal weakness, while others feel that external factors were largely responsible. In fact, many arguments have been put forward explaining the complex nature of the causes and their chain of consequences, and also the multiple and diverse nature of these consequences. This study aims to understand how the States and the societies managed this multifaceted crisis, and what are the weighty changes observed today in Southeast Asia. 
L’Impact des évolutions démographiques sur le développement économique et social en Asie du Sud-Est [Impact of demographic trends on socioeconomic development in Southeast Asia]
VORAVIDH CHAROENLOET - RAYNAUD Estelle - OUDIN Xavier
(Book in french)
Demographic transition in Southeast Asia varies considerably from country to country. Mostly achieved in Thailand where fecundity is now below 2.1 children per woman, it is under way in Vietnam, with a pronounced discrepancy between urban and rural areas.
The purpose of this study is to measure to what extent the sweeping economic and social mutations Southeast Asian societies are going through are linked to such evolution and how their development is affected by the quantitative and qualitative changes affecting their populations.
 
Mondialisation et développement : le cas malaisien [Globalisation and Development: the Case of Malaysia]
VAN WASSENHOVE Juliette - LAFAYE de MICHEAU Elsa
(Book in French)
Following the success of its economic policy changes, Malaysia of the late 90’s raises the recurring question of the development model. Malaysia appears to be, if not a case of exemplary development, at least a very suggestive political and economic experience - for the World Bank, because it successfully found a berth in the international division of work; then for the UNDP, by its management of inequalities, as well as for certain nonconformist authors after its reaction to the Asian crisis. Therefore elements of knowledge and appreciation of this remarkable journey are in order. 
Musulmans du Cambodge [Muslims of Cambodia]
Sous la direction d'Agnès de FEO
(Book in French)
Since the Paris Accord signed in 1991, which brought peace to the Country and opened it up, new Islamic movements have appeared in Cambodia. Some of these movements have taken root through donations like the Islam of the Gulf countries. Others have completely disappeared.
Moreover, Cambodian Islam found itself very much weakened by the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979), which especially persecuted the Chams by systematically eliminating intellectuals and religious heads, and by destroying books. Today, the history of Islam in the country is more than incomplete and gives rise to a feeling of having lost one’s roots, which may explain the present attraction for Islamic groups that have come from other countries.
Under the guidance of Agnes de FEO. 
Triades en Asie du Sud-Est [Triads In Southeast Asia]
LEVEAU Arnaud - CHU Yiu Kong
(Book in French)
Of all the diasporas and minorities present in Southeast Asia, the one coming from Mainland China is by far the most consequent. China’s huge population, rich networks, cultural and economic and, in some countries of the zone, political influence, have made it the subject of a series of questions. The existence of informal and transnational networks, whether for mutual help, families, trade or others, has facilitated the development of criminal activities. The presence of Mafia Groups of Chinese origin, and their collusion with the financial and political world, today poses a real threat to Southeast Asia’s stability and security. All the more because these Mafia networks tend to have business tie-ups with their counterparts of other countries as well as with separatist groups, thus creating a sort of “ Crime Syndicate”. Hence it is important to better understand the internal functioning of these Mafia groups, to try and find out their mutual relations and their adaptation to the new economic and political scenario of the region. 
Cambodge contemporain [Contemporary Cambodia]
Sous la direction d'Alain FOREST
(Book in French)
Thirty years of civil war, a succession of rival political regimes and the huge involvement of the international community in the rebuilding process have left an indelible stamp on Cambodia’s identity. Thanks to peace and democracy, thanks to its integration with ASEAN, then with the World Trade Organisation, Cambodia has once again found itself in harmony with all the nations; but it is still finding its bearings, and must catch up with its neighbours Thailand and also Vietnam, in the fields of Economy, Technology and also Health. Cambodia, which had been one of the most developed nations of Southeast Asia in the 1950’s, is now one of the poorest in the region. The vast majority of works published on contemporary Cambodia are, however, only interested in the Khmer Rouge. If the Genocide trauma is indeed a basic factor for understanding the kingdom, it is not enough. Under the guidance of Mr. Alain FOREST (CNRS, University of Paris 7), this research programme involving around twenty French, Cambodian and other experts on Cambodia, will result in the publication of a major book that will present contemporary Cambodia in all its aspects.
Under the guidance of Alain FOREST. 
Politique intérieure : le Sud de la Thaïlande [Internal Politics : Southern Thailand]
Sukree LANGPUTEH - DUBUS Arnaud
(Book in French)
The study will analyse the dynamics in play in South Thailand that has a Muslim majority. Four dimensions will be considered : politics and security, ethno-culture, religion and economics. The idea is to show possible ways of relieving tensions, based on analysing the root cause of the rupture between local populations and the central state, and taking into account the possibilities of economic and political development of the three provinces. 
Tourisme et sexualité vénale en Thaïlande [Tourism And Flesh Trade In Thailand]
ROUX Sébastien
(Book in French)
Thailand, once known the world over as a major sex destination, is trying to refurbish its international image. Legislation is evolving, moral judgments are changing and a new national ethic is being promised by the authorities in order to set right to day’s compromising image. But if everyone agrees that “sex tourism” can appear to be a true “social problem”, it is nonetheless the result of an arrangement whose genealogy can be traced. This study will help understand what practices are referred to in the expression ”sex tourism” and how this shifting definition was able to evolve, in order to express objectively the different stands taken on flesh trade and, through them, try to improve our understanding of the international traffic of moral values. 
Trafic de femmes vietnamiennes vers la Chine et Taiwan [Traffic of Vietnamese Women to China & Taiwan]
GRILLOT Caroline
(Book in French)
In Mainland China, since the mid 90’s the media, police reports, and international observers have all been saying the same thing about kidnapped women, sold not only for sexual exploitation, but also to cater to a strong demand for arranged marriages, because there’s a shortage of brides in China. This fact is one of the consequences of the single child policy which came into force in 1979. These practices which seem to be related to old traditions of treating brides as goods are organized by inter-provincial & international networks. These cases are still very few in number but seem to be an increasingly important phenomenon. Women coming from North Korea &Vietnam are in the forefront of this traffic. For the former, marriage is the only solution for economic survival in a country that considers them illegal migrants. As for the latter, marriages with Chinese peasants are generally the result of kidnapping followed by a sale. According to Vietnamese authorities, these last 10 years, 22000 Vietnamese children and women have been trafficked for forced marriages in China. However, accurate statistics remain difficult, and beyond general explanations, the question remains of what motivates the players in this trade.  
Atlas des minorités musulmanes en Asie orientale et méridionale [Atlas Of Muslim Minorities In East And South Asia]
Sous la direction de Michel GILQUIN
(Book in French)
The Muslim world in general, and the Muslim world in Asia in particular, is undergoing a profound identity crisis, and this has taken the form of movements for reconfiguring relations with the religion, of religion intermingling with politics, of various radical tendencies expressed in a religious tone or not, against a general background of secularization and the advancement of individualism. In a minority situation, this identity crisis is also seen in the State/national context where a dominant culture exercises pressure for assimilation/integration. This context makes it more difficult to meet the challenges of “modernity”, all the more because critical interpretation is no longer monopolized by the traditional Ulema (whose authority is contested), and the reference texts (Koran & Hadith) are being read in fragments ; against traditional forms of Islam, often marked by a relative syncretism and Sufi mysticism, attempts to install a normative and standardized Islam, generally based on a reading of the Koranic scriptures, are making an appearance.
Besides recapitulating indispensable statistics (as far as possible, including demographic data, both quantitative such as birth rates, and qualitative such as migration, specific markers of language and customs ), the aim of this study therefore is to highlight whatever gives information on the ongoing process that seeks to weaken traditional Islam, in the sense of the type of Islam that each of these minorities practices from day to day.
Under the guidance of Michel GILQUIN.