On the 26th of August, 2026, HDFF team attended a book launch “Law of the Jungle in the WOLF WORLD: Geopolitics and The Future of Southeast Asia” hosted by The Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS), at Chulalongkorn University.

Featuring the author, Mr. Marc Saxer, and as panel discussants former US Ambassador Robert F. Godec, Dr. Pongphisoot Busbarat (ISIS), and Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak as moderator, this public forum discussed what the WOLF WORLD is, current international politics and conflicts, the future of Southeast Asia, and navigating in the WOLF WORLD.

Key Panel Takeaways:

• Defining the “WOLF WORLD“: Quoting the philosopher Thomas Hobbes’s concept that when the law of the jungle rules, “a man is another man’s wolf“, described Mr. Saxer. With great powers actively disregarding international law, he said he believes in the end of the American-led world order, backed by data showing more violent conflict and interstate war emerging since World War II.
• Shifting dynamics: The author highlighted that modern conflict is increasingly fought through trade disputes, economy, and technologies rather than traditional military power alone, and that while violent conflicts are active in Europe and the Middle East, the Asian context remains primarily “cold”.
• Navigating the Jungle: The author suggested that smaller nations must avoid being forced into binary alliances. To prosper in this WOLF WORLD, countries should employ flexible hedging strategies such as the bamboo diplomacy, and form middle power partnerships to protect their national sovereignty.
• The Need for “Reform”: The discussants, including former US Ambassador Robert F. Godec, emphasized the need for a revised global order, also calling on ASEAN to strengthen internal unity to maintain strategic agency amid major power rivalries.

HDFF would like to thank the Institute of Security and International Studies for inviting the team to this book launch and public forum and is looking forward to future engagement and opportunities.