Courting ASEAN: US influence in the region has diminished but what comes next for ASEAN?
China and the US have long courted Southeast Asian nations, trying to bring them into their respective spheres of influence and establish a foothold in the region. No one nation dominates completely, but over the last couple of decades, China has stepped up its diplomatic and economic advances as the US has retreated. ASEAN nations face the challenging balance of welcoming assistance from more prosperous countries without giving up sovereignty or influence. Some – Cambodia and Laos, for example – are more prepared to cede influence than others.
John Pennington
