Since its inception in 1967, Asean has survived a myriad of challenges -- some it has passed with flying colours, others less so.
However, the biggest existential threat to Asean today comes from within its own family. After 21 months of a genteel, wait-and-see approach to Myanmar's quagmire, the so-called Asean way has reared its ugly head on the bloc, forcing its members to come to grips with its Achilles' heel. To stay relevant and credible, Asean must now use sticks to deal with an unruly family member.
