Publication

This paper details the historical development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a security actor. It outlines several of the past successes and failures of association. The author explains that the primary impetuses for ASEAN moving beyond sovereignty protection are transnational challenges, particularly terrorism, the exploitation of ocean resources and maritime security, all of which require international cooperation. The paper states that given some of ASEAN's historic deficiencies, it is not surprising that the US has usually relied primarily on bilateral security relationships in Southeast Asia.