"Senate Hearing Highlights: What Stumped Hegseth About ASEAN and Its Significance"

 "Breaking Down ASEAN: What It Means and Why It Matters"

Bangkok(AP) — During a Senate confirmation hearing, sin. Tammy duck questioned President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee,

 Pete , on his readiness to lead international negotiations. She asked him to name a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), explain the type of agreements the U.S. has with ASEAN countries, and specify the number of nations in the bloc.

Tramp couldn’t provide the exact number of ASEAN member states but mentioned, “I know we have allies in South Korea and Japan in , alongside Australia.” a security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

, a Democrat from Illinois, quickly corrected him. “None of those three countries are in ASEAN,” she said, adding, “I suggest you do a little homework.”

Understanding ASEAN: A Regional Powerhouse in the Indo-Pacific

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, 

Thailand, and Vietnam. East Timor is also on track to become its 11th member soon.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN's primary mission is to foster economic and security cooperation among its members.

 With a collective population exceeding 650 million and a combined GDP of over $3 trillion, the bloc plays a pivotal role in the global economy.

The importance of ASEAN has grown significantly in the Indo-Pacific region, where China's influence and territorial ambitions have expanded rapidly. 

Beijing’s assertive stance, particularly regarding territorial claims, has sparked concerns among ASEAN members.

Several nations within ASEAN, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, are embroiled in maritime disputes with China over sovereignty claims in the South China Sea—a vital trade artery for global shipping.

 Indonesia has also raised alarms about Beijing’s activities in its exclusive economic zone, highlighting the bloc's collective challenges in addressing China's growing assertiveness.

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