ASEAN’s responses to AUKUS: implications for strategic realignments in the Indo-Pacific

Despite the divergence in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries’ initial responses to AUKUS, 1 year after pronouncement tripartite security pact, ASEAN as a collective entity has already cautiously accepted AUKUS new reality. Regional states’ have been shaped by their concerns about challenges centrality, possible negative impacts on regional stability, and strategic approaches relations with both United States China. As many policymakers analysts feared, it is indeed likely that may spark arms race certain areas limited scale bring more for stability. At same time, there are also uncertainties regarding implementation which raise doubts balance power deterrence effects this arrangement be able achieve. In long run, powers, including middle powers smaller states, gradually gravitate toward form partnership or ad hoc issue-based cooperation. sense, quite provide perhaps flexible mode realignment Indo-Pacific region. Amid growing US–China rivalry, landscape become even divisive competitive.