Smith, Anthony

Abstract
Economic and political crisis in Indonesia has had a marked impact on Indonesia’s ability to participate fully in international affairs, including its relations with Southeast Asia and its participation within ASEAN. In the past, Indonesia has been described as the leader ofASEAN, and it can be shown that Indonesia has had a marked impact on the formation of, and developments within, ASEAN. The economic crisis, questions over Indonesia’s political stability, forest fires, bilateral disputes between ASEAN’s member states, and so on have all taken their toll on ASEAN’s cohesion. While ASEAN remains an important regional body, clearly Indonesia’s leadership of the grouping has been tested and found wanting.
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