ASEAN: still the zone of peace, freedom and neutrality?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) pursuit for a Zone Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) first began during the Cold War, at time intense superpower rivalry in Asia. ASEAN reaffirmed importance this principle 2020, amid growing concerns instability Asia-Pacific region as result increasing tensions between United States (US) China. Through an examination ZOPFAN principle, paper seeks to develop greater understanding ASEAN’s ability respond periods geopolitical crisis Great Power rivalry. It asks whether Asia has ever been successfully realised, what is likelihood one being achieved future. As analysis recent security challenges will show, falls short both framework regional expression autonomy. This raises serious questions about coherence post-Cold War era, its uphold order light renewed competition.