Five Power Defence Arrangements a vital mechanism for ensuring regional security and stability

THE strategic landscape of South-East Asia has become increasingly complex as the region grapples with territorial disputes in the South China Sea, internal conflicts in Myanmar, and the broader implications of global superpower rivalry.

Recent diplomatic engagements in Laos involving key South-East Asian leaders and representatives from the United States, China, and Russia underscored the urgency of addressing these multifaceted challenges. Central to these discussions were the principles of international law as emphasised by the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) in their dialogues with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.