The Takeaway
On January 1, Malaysia assumed the role of chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Over the course of the year, Malaysia will oversee more than 300 meetings, steering the bloc at a critical geopolitical juncture. Under the stewardship of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia confronts two major challenges that have long tested ASEAN’s unity and resilience: the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar and China’s increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea. In addition, the bloc, under Malaysia’s leadership, will confront newer challenges such as the broader ramifications of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Asia policy.
In Brief
- Under the…