A Harder Balance to Keep in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia continues to maintain a non-aligned approach in the Sino-US rivalry, although a more complex strategic environment is placing greater pressure on this position. Regional priorities have expanded to include climate change, geoeconomic tensions, and domestic political challenges. Survey findings indicate a decline in confidence in the United States across several areas, alongside China’s sustained influence in economic and strategic domains. At the same time, ASEAN faces internal limitations related to institutional effectiveness and coordination. Despite these constraints, ASEAN remains a key platform for regional cooperation, with ongoing emphasis on strengthening integration, improving implementation capacity, and enhancing its overall role in managing regional challenges.

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