The Philippines’s 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship

This year Manila is chairing ASEAN. What can we expect from the new leader, well-known for its pro-US position and myriad of internal political issues?

Notably, the decision on this matter was made behind the scenes three years ago. Since then, the Myanmar leadership has consolidated its position, demonstrated trends toward normalizing the situation inside the country, and consistently maintained good relations with foreign partners. However, ASEAN’s bureaucracy, unfortunately, shows a lack of flexibility and inadvertently fuels the Western narrative that negatively perceives Myanmar’s independent policy. Therefore, any legal normalization regarding the chairmanship issue can only be discussed when Naypyidaw finally receives it, in accordance with its membership in the organization.

Start as you mean to go on…

Тhe new ASEAN chair entered 2026 in its usual style, pace, and rhetoric. However, this shaky image comes against the background of the island nation’s persistent pro-US orientation, forced friendship with Washington’s other allies, and a truly remarkable ability to vigorously engage in unclear pursuits in both foreign and domestic policy, while its own economic, social, and national security challenges demand attention.

For Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, the end of 2025 and the first weeks of 2026 were marked by an impeachment attempt accusing the president of corruption, violating the constitution, and “betraying public trust.” This was a weak and largely predictable response to US aggression against Venezuela, accompanied by recognition of US initial security........

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