ASEAN at 59: A ship with no captain, adrift in the storm
As Indonesia pulls up its diplomatic anchor and leaves ASEAN drifting into irrelevance, Southeast Asia faces a brutal reality check ahead of its 60th anniversary: lead together, or prepare for the bloc's retirement ceremony.
Indonesia's exit from ASEAN marks a turning point for the Southeast Asian bloc as it prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The organization, which has long been led by Indonesia, now finds itself adrift with no clear direction or leadership. While Indonesia has historically played a crucial role in ASEAN's affairs, the current administration in Jakarta has shifted its priorities towards domestic growth, military modernization, and bilateral deals.
This change in focus has led to a more transactional approach to foreign policy, with ASEAN no longer seen as a cornerstone of Indonesia's international relations. As ASEAN prepares to mark its 59th anniversary, the urgent question remains: will the bloc find a new leader to steer it through its seventh decade, or will it continue to struggle without one?
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
