The Globalist Asean leaders meet and Pope Leo heads to Turkey
Oct 27, 2025
Join journalist Adam Hancock, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, as he dives into the ASEAN summit, highlighting the tension between Trump and Xi over trade and regional dynamics. Yossi Mekelberg from Chatham House explores the complex issues in Gaza and Turkey, examining diplomatic tensions and the implications of Turkey's potential role in a stabilization force. They also discuss how Trump's unpredictable foreign policy impacts global stability and the significance of emerging nations like Timor-Leste within ASEAN.
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ASEAN Pivots Around Trade Tensions
- ASEAN's summit was dominated by US-China trade tensions and high-profile visits that shifted agendas toward trade and security.
- Leaders used regional economic integration as a buffer against volatile US tariffs and to diversify partnerships.
Trump's Kuala Lumpur Peace Photo-Op
- President Trump presided over the Thailand-Cambodia agreement in Kuala Lumpur and framed it as a historic peace moment.
- Adam Hancock described it as a photo-op that produced steps toward peace but did not fully resolve the decades-long conflict.
Timor-Leste Brings Values, Not GDP
- Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN adds a liberal-democracy voice and symbolic diversity to the bloc despite its economic weakness.
- Membership grants Timor-Leste diplomatic access and long-term development opportunities, but benefits will take time to materialize.