Asean’s side deals in Myanmar risk missing where the power truly lies

AI Summary

ASEAN foreign ministers are preparing to meet in Manila to discuss Myanmar. Several member states are reconsidering the collective pressure strategy since the 2021 coup and may engage more directly with Naypyidaw to influence the situation.

As Asean foreign ministers prepare to meet in Manila from July 21-22, a quiet but significant shift is under way in the bloc’s approach to Myanmar. Although the Association of Southeast Asian Nations remains formally committed to the “five-point consensus”, several member states appear to be reconsidering the collective pressure strategy adopted since the 2021 coup. Rather than abandoning the consensus outright, they argue that more direct engagement with Naypyidaw may be necessary to encourage...