: :inin Kyiv (EET)

The geopolitics of multipolarity: How to counter Europe’s waning relevance in Southeast Asia

The geopolitics of multipolarity: How to counter Europe’s waning relevance in Southeast Asia
fanny.pollet@i…
Thu, 01/30/2025 – 17:46

10 minutes

It is perhaps trite but still true: the Indo-Pacific is rapidly emerging as the world’s geopolitical and economic centre of gravity. In 2025, Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), placing it at the heart of regional dynamics and offering a case study in how the region balances competing priorities. As it navigates its own ambitions – including a potential bid to join the BRICS+ – it must also contend with ongoing regional crises such as the turmoil in Myanmar/Burma and escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
These shifting currents should serve as a wake-up call for Europe. The region is becoming increasingly multipolar, with countries in the Indo-Pacific actively recalibrating their alliances. Yet, Europe risks being left behind, constrained by fragmented strategies and insufficient engagement. This decline is not just a matter of perception. Europe’s muted response to global crises, most notably the war in Gaza (1), has …read more

Source:: European Union Institute for Security Studies

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