ASEAN 1967 - Present

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was established on August 8, 1967, during the Vietnam War. The five originalcountries of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines were united together by fear of North Vietnam and China. By forming the ASEAN, these countries strive "to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific, and administrative fields", and "strive for peace and prosperity of the region". In later years, the ASEAN accepted the rest of the Southeast Asian countries that met the requirements of the ASEAN. Currently, there are 10 countries that are members of the ASEAN. 

Throughout the years the ASEAN has been in action, the countries have passed treaties and created relations with not only one another, but also non-ASEAN countries, such as the U.S., India, China, and Russia, in order to improve their countries. They established the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) with these countries, and some others, in 1994 to discuss security and "take steps in confidence building". At the December 2001 ASEAN meeting, countries including Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea noted progress in a Free Trade Area. Some countries that are seen as complimentary ASEAN members include India, with a ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Prosperity as of 2004, and China, Japan, and the Republic of China, of who were given the special title, ASEAN Plus Three.

Currently, the ASEAN main project is called ASEAN Vision 2020's, whose goal is to prevent drug and human trafficking, terrorism, and other transnational crimes.