What do you say?
That´s a realistic scenario.
It's naive to say the least.
Exactly what is the threat perception of this if I may ask?
NATO was created to counter the Soviet threat. And trust me, they were a very real threat to the Western World. Hence, the alliance was justified. And that with the US at the helm.
Even back in those days, the US was a very formidable nation. It was large, had a healthy population level, lots of natural resources, an efficient government, high technology, science, a huge economy and a very powerful military. That is how the US can leverage its position in NATO.
And it still does so today, strong as ever.
Can we name any ASEAN member that is in a similar profile and size of the US that can lead? Such an alliance would always need a leader.
If we recall the South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), that ended up being disbanded. Not only was it unable to address anything, but there were internal disputes among members.
They were laughably powerless as they saw Pakistan being cut into two right before their very eyes!
As said by a famous British diplomat, SEATO was nothing more than a "zoo of paper tigers". And so would this one.
For any military alliance, it must have teeth to bite something bite-worthy. Otherwise, it's a waste of time and resources.
Best for now is that those nations manage their own security.
ASEAN is at best an economic forum, and it should stay that way for now. And it has done extremely well in that regard. Let's not ruin that.
If such a bloc were to be formed, would it be wrong in assuming that it would necessarily be anti-china? Afterall, a number of these nations are wary of China, given its growing might and terrotorial disputes.
India is not strictly anti-China.
It's hesitant for the most part. But certainly not hostile.
