ASEAN Takes the Middle Road: A 12-month Forecast

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a prominent political force in the Pacific. As tensions in the region increase, ASEAN must contemplate geopolitical alignments while promoting economic growth and proving its legitimacy as an institution. In the next 12 months, ASEAN will likely enhance its relations with the European Union (EU), the United States (US), and China, avoid taking sides in these powers’ ongoing disputes, and make no progress in resolving the Myanmar crisis.