Max Lane is a writer and commentator on Asian and southeast Asian affairs and Australia’s relations with Asia. He has lectured at universities in Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, as well as in the United States and Europe. Over the last 50 years, he has written for the Canberra Times, Nation Review, National Times, and Green Left Weekly. He has written, edited, and translated more than 20 books on Indonesia. This article is based on the August 17, 2024 “United States Destabilizing East Asia” online webinar by No Cold War.