ASEAN : A Security Arrangement and A Political Co-Operation : To What Extent Has ASEAN Achieved The Idea of Regional Peace

The current security environment in the region of Southeast Asia has been under question due to the multipolar development and intervention of outsiders as the knock-on effect of post Cold War era. The huge natural maritime resources which embedded the South China Sea invite several regional powers to join in the contest of survivability. At times, skirmishes and minor confrontations put scar to the history of the region. ASEAN, as the sole regional association has the responsibility to promote regional peace and avoid confrontations. This dissertation discusses to what extent has ASEAN succeeded in playing its role and concludes that the Association has achieved a relatively peace and order environment to the region