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Power Play
The great mismatch in America's courtship of South-east Asia
There is a fundamental mismatch in what the US and Asean want most from each other, and that gap should concern Washington as it gives rival Beijing the opportunity to gloat and court Asean.
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US President Joe Biden speaking with Asean leaders during the US-Asean summit on Oct 26, 2021.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Compared with how long the special summit between the US and Asean is taking to be arranged, America's security cooperation with the Quad alliance appears to be moving at the speed of light.
The leaders of Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising the United States, Australia, India and Japan, have held multiple virtual meetings since President Joe Biden took office in January last year, and held their first in-person summit in Washington back in September.
