New Military Perspectives and the Future of ASEAN

In today's world, military stances are undergoing significant transformations. Trust in the policies of long-standing allies like the United States is waning due to perceived instability, while Russia's military might has faced a real test in Ukraine, revealing its limitations. The threats posed by Iran and North Korea, coupled with China's more rapid and assertive growth than anticipated by the US, are raising international concerns.

In such an environment, smaller nations are questioning who they can rely on. As we discussed, from the perspective of a Vietnamese citizen, the thought of acquiring nuclear weapons might arise as a way to ensure national security. The idea that nuclear weapons can balance power and prevent bullying is seemingly gaining traction.

However, the dangers of nuclear proliferation cannot be ignored. Therefore, regional nations are considering forming stronger alliances. Specifically, we discussed the idea of an "ASEAN Coalition" to counter China's influence.

The primary objectives of this "ASEAN Coalition" would be regional stability, security, joint military technology production, and a collective defense system where an attack on one member would automatically trigger a military response from all members. We also considered the importance of learning from NATO's strengths while avoiding its weaknesses to create a military alliance tailored to ASEAN's regional context.

If ASEAN countries facing pressure from China take the lead in forming this Coalition, and if they can attract interested nations from outside ASEAN, such as India, a new balance of power could be created in the region. Simply put, by forming a stronger alliance, similar to an enhanced "ASEAN Plus One" framework, regional nations can collectively confront the challenges and ensure their sovereignty and security, playing a more influential role on the global stage.