Postgraduate Phan Anh Son successfully defends his Ph.D. dissertation

On September 20, 2018, at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), postgraduate Phan Anh Son successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation on the academy level in the International Relations major, coded 9.31.02.06 entitled “Think Tank’s role in American foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region”, under the scientific supervision of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thai Yen Huong

The council highly valued the dissertation’s contribution because this is the first systematic science work in Vietnam to discuss the Think Tank’s role in American foreign policymaking. The dissertation provided the theoretical and practical basis of Think Tank in America such as definition, formation and development process, factors affecting the Think Tank’s development, and viewpoint from some International Relations theories. The author chose to research some typical Think Tank working in foreign relations and security and defense, the effects to American foreign policymaking process in Asia -  through various measures such as providing ideas and choosing policies, providing high-quality human resources for the government, creating a high-level discussion forum,... through which draw the conclusion of Think Tank’s role in American foreign policy in Asia - Pacific region. In addition, the author also gave some predictions about the potential of Think Tank’s role in American foreign policy under Donald Trump administration on the basis of analyzing the advantageous, disadvantageous as well as chances and challenges of Think Tank from an inner view and American politic landscape and the Asia - Pacific region point of view.

The ceremony took place in a formal atmosphere and in accordance with the regulations on doctoral training. The postgraduate presented the main research results of the dissertation and answered the Council’s questions. The Council concludes that postgraduate Phan Anh Son deserves the Ph.D. in International Relations with 7/7 votes passed, of which 5/7 excellent votes.

Interested readers can search for the full dissertation at the Library of the Diplomatic Academy and the National Library.