ASEAN’s rich history is intertwined with that of the region. Forty-four years ago, five nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand agreed on forming a community that could share the common values and support each other. ASEAN’s primary purposes were stated, “To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of South-East Asian Nations.”2 More specifically, keeping a “peaceful community” required two distinct t