Director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities, Lyle Goldstein, tells the Sun that while he believes ASEAN “has always been a weak organization and this will continue for the foreseeable future,” it can serve minor purposes.“
ASEAN has played a modestly helpful role in reminding both superpowers (the United States and China) that neither one can dominate the region,” he said. “Insofar as Washington and Beijing seem to need a mediator, ASEAN can step into
that role, possibly.”
Mr. Goldstein also observed that the group could and should “reform in the direction of promoting neutrality as a valuable concept.”
“This is not necessarily easy in various contexts, such as the Philippines and Singapore, but I think it is critically important to the future of peace in the region and the wider world,” he continued.
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