Dr. Tran Truong is a research fellow and director of the Center for East Sea (South China Sea) Studies at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV). Before joining the DAV, he worked in the European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. His research interests are in securities studies, maritime issues in Asia, and the international relations of Southeast Asia. He has written extensively on maritime issues and contributed several reports and policy recommendations on South China Sea issues. He is editor and co-author of Disputes in the South China Sea: History, Present and Prospects; editor of The South China Sea: Cooperation for Regional Security and Development; and The South China Sea: Towards a Region of Peace, Security and Cooperation.