ASEAN centrality

Regional engagement has increasingly transcended ASEAN through bilateral, trilateral, and plurilateral initiatives that are outside of the ASEAN framework.

ASEAN is conscious that it is increasingly sidelines amid great power competition. But the organization is slow to change.

Beijing pays frequent lip service to the idea, but it also poses significant challenges to China’s Southeast Asian ambitions. 

The term is used constantly, but there still seems to be little substance to U.S. interactions with the regional body.

India risks being sidelined in an increasingly polarized Indo-Pacific regional architecture.

"Minilateral groupings like the Quad need not sink ASEAN if it stays united and committed to Southeast Asia’s identity and security."

The expansion of U.S. cooperation with Southeast Asia was a welcome step, but the question of long-term strategy remains.

Japan has made crucial moves in recent years, particularly in its relations with Vietnam, but without much hype.

Hoang Thi Ha, Ja Ian Chong, and Evan A. Laksmana discuss ASEAN's regional role amid the Myanmar crisis and China-U.S. tensions.

The comments from Hadi Tjahjanto came as ASEAN parliamentarians called for the bloc to take a tougher line on the military junta.

The Southeast Asian bloc is being asked to prove its diplomatic mettle in a fast-moving and increasingly volatile crisis.