Air Force One on tarmac in Malaysia surrounded by royal-looking guards Lawrence Jackson/Planet Pix via ZUMA Wire

The Dark Heart of ASEAN

Next week's meeting between US President Barack Obama and the leaders of the ten ASEAN countries – the first US-ASEAN meeting on American soil – signifies America’s growing interest in Southeast Asia. The question is whether, by engaging with all members of ASEAN, the US is allowing its interests to overwhelm its principles.

WASHINGTON, DC – Next week, at a summit in California, US President Barack Obama will meet with the leaders of the ten countries of Asia’s most important regional grouping: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The event, the first-ever US-ASEAN summit on American soil, is being touted as a sign of America’s growing interest in Southeast Asia. The question is whether the US, by inviting all members of ASEAN, has allowed its interests to overwhelm its principles.

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