US-ASEAN Strategic Alignment. Propelling ASEAN as the "Fulcrum" of a New Regional Architecture for Regional Stability

By exposing the capability gaps that exist in the ASEAN region as opportunities for US involvement, this paper serves as a discourse on the potential modes, means and methods of US involvement in the ASEAN region in the fulfillment of these capability gaps. Analysis on US participation in ASEAN affairs is the starting point to understand how regional stability in ASEAN will pan out in the near future, and how US-China engagements will ultimately pan out with ASEAN as a mediating/moderating factor.