ASEAN as Defence Bloc?

[Viet]

Yesterday a Indian member said something on one of our VN threads that keeps me thinking about it: the idea of forming the ASEAN into a defence bloc similar to the NATO, for self-defence.

I would be surprised if the Vietnamese goverment does not think the same. Want to hear what you think of the idea, especially from China and the US?

What are Pros and Cons?

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

If ASEAN members have serious territorial disputes among themselves, organization like NATO is difficult.

 

[Viet]

If ASEAN members have serious territorial disputes among themselves, organization like NATO is difficult.

Problems can be overcome by negotiations that are happening as we speak.
The formidable Vietnamese Army would be the core of ASEAN defence bloc.

 

[Zabaniyah]

ASEAN a military bloc?

Bawhawhawhahahahahaha!

 

[retaxis]

Europe is Christian, ASEAN is Communist, Muslims, secular democracies, Chinese (70+ million), Christian (phillipines), Buddhist (Thailand n Burma) etc etc (not going to work)

Europe doesn't have outstanding land disputes, ASEAN has huge land disputes e.g. last year skirmishes between thailand and cambodia (not going to work)

You can't just say because Europe did it we should emulate that for somewhere else. It took two world wars and a cold war for Europe to be where they are now.

 

[Viet]

ASEAN a military bloc?

Bawhawhawhahahahahaha!

What do you say?
That´s a realistic scenario.

 

[retaxis]

What do you say?
That´s a realistic scenario.

When you think thats a realistic scenario thats called a delusion. You know what delusions are? Its when everyone presents you with evidence and you shrug it off as nonsense because you have an idea fixated deep in your mind kiddo.

 

[Icecreamcart]

What do you say?
That´s a realistic scenario.

ASEAN is closer to something like the African Union or the Arab League than the EU and NATO. A loose coalition of states. The entire purpose of ASEAN was to be a decentralised organization that holds no real power.

Too many diverging interests and lack of an unifying threat would make this idea a tough sell.

And no, China is not a perceived threat to every ASEAN nation. Indonesia for example, is not going to be receptive in joining a defense pact that may drag them into a conflict with a major trading partner.

 

[EastSea]

When you think thats a realistic scenario thats called a delusion. You know what delusions are? Its when everyone presents you with evidence and you shrug it off as nonsense because you have an idea fixated deep in your mind kiddo.

Ha ha, Chinese don't like it.

 

[retaxis]

Ha ha, Chinese don't like it.

I don't like obese people either but that doesn't mean that obesity is the new sexy

 

[INDIAISM]

To be frank buddy any defence block against China in east Asia won't work without including Japan,South Korea,U.S in it...

 

[kalu_miah]

Count me in as one of delusional ones:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-affairs/180755-geopolitics-asean-region-10.html

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both might join ASEAN defense bloc, if it can protect us from big bad India.

ASEAN or ASEAN+ defense bloc does not have to be anti-India or anti-China, but pro ASEAN or ASEAN+. A bloc like this will be good for China and India in the long term as it will reduce the need for an offshore balancer like the US in the region.

ASEAN+ includes Japan and Korea, more details in the link above.

 

[Obambam]

If ASEAN becomes a defense bloc, then the likes of SCO would also become one. Heck, we may even see the USSR rise from its ashes.
It would be nice to live in a multi polar world, but I can't see it happening. Both America and China have good leverages within the ASEAN community. Like what Syama Ayas pointed out, it would be difficult when the community have disputes amongst themselves. The west will not be happy on defense blocs popping up left right and center either, especially when NATO is the only defense bloc existing at the moment. It would be a direct threat to their goal of bringing their so called "peace" to every corner of the world.

 

[airuah]

a defence block as such will not form on a normal scenario coz there are problems among the constituent nations....however if the overall security of the region gets threatened by any major power(like the US or China........not including Russia here as they never involve themselves too much or create hostilities easily as the other two) then its possible for the countries to come together to form a defence bloc

 

[retaxis]

There are only two blocs that when push comes to shove will react accordingly, together.

You already know them..NATO and SCO.