<![CDATA[The rise of minilateral security pacts such as AUKUS and the QUAD in the Indo-Pacific poses fundamental disruptions to ASEAN Centrality within the regional security architecture. This study analyzes the strategic implications of AUKUS and QUAD on ASEAN's strategic autonomy and explains the internal fragmentation among its member states. Integrating Structural Neorealism (balance of power and security dilemma) with Neoclassical Realism (domestic intervening variables), this qualitative-explanatory study relies on library research and defence policy analysis. The research reveals three principal findings: first, minilateralism constitutes a hard external balancing strategy by the US and its allies against Chinese assertiveness, reflecting systemic frustration with ASEAN's sluggish, consensus-based mechanisms. Second, these minilateral coalitions intensify regional security dilemmas, exacerbating internal fissures between neutrality-oriented states (Indonesia and Malaysia), frontline claimant states embracing military deterrence (the Philippines), and mainland states economically tethered to Beijing (Cambodia and Laos). Third, ASEAN centrality faces functional marginalization, relegated to consultative dialogue while actual deterrence architecture shifts to minilateral pacts. Preserving ASEAN centrality necessitates operationalizing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) supported by institutional flexibilities such as the ASEAN Minus X formula.]]>
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