This week, the Council on Foreign Relations released an interesting backgrounder on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The report discusses ASEAN’s relevance in the region’s politics and security.
“Now experts say the group may pursue a bigger role in the region to help its members cope with the global financial crisis. As the downturn shifts the geopolitics of the region – potentially increasing China’s sway as a source of capital – ASEAN and the United States may look to tighten their economic and security ties to prevent the rise of a hegemon in Southeast Asia… Though ASEAN has made gains in promoting economic and political coordination and fostering peace, the group has yet to grow into a major multilateral actor.”
Photo from AFP.