Brig. Vinod Anand
(Security Analyst)
Copyright: Institute for Transnational Studies (ITS), Italy - Publication date on (www.rieas.gr) – RIEAS - on 6 August 2017
The concept of ASEAN’s centrality has been much talked about as being one of the most cherished principles of the multilateral organization; however, there is no clear or detailed definition of the term. Yet the underlying theme or implicit in this concept is ASEAN’s ability to shape and influence the decisions that affect the organization and its members and also facilitate solutions. The South China Sea dispute has been one such issue where the members of ASEAN have been unable so far to present an integrated approach due to a variety of reasons ranging from narrow national interests to different foreign policy orientations. Such weaknesses of the ASEAN platform are bound to be exploited by a rising hegemonic and imperial power like China who continues to expand its core interests and continually changes the status quo....Read more