How the Squad risks upending ASEAN norms (Vincent Kyle Parada – The Interpreter)

It’s Balikatan (“shoulder-to-shoulder”) season for Washington and Manila. Over the last two weeks, 14,000 troops from the United States, Philippines, Australia, and Japan have been taking part in the largest annual military exercise between the two allies. This year’s iteration is particularly noteworthy for being the first to include all four members of the “Squad” since its establishment in 2024, highlighting the “S” in its namesake through their commitment to Indo-Pacific “security”. But as regional norms clash with extra-regional involvement, are minilaterals like Squad really the way forward for the Indo-Pacific?

How the Squad risks upending ASEAN norms | Lowy Institute