Original question: "In your view, which country/regional organization has the most political and strategic influence in Southeast Asia?"
Respondents are professionals from the following categories: academia, think-tankers, or researchers; private sector representatives; civil society, non-government organisations (NGOs) or media representatives; government officials; and regional or international organisations personnel.
ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is a political and economic union composed of the ten member states Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Results from respondents from Timor-Leste excluded in the aggregated averages as the country is not yet an ASEAN member state.
Citation formats
Most influential political powers ASEAN 2026, by country
In a survey conducted in 11 Southeast Asian countries in 2026, the major view of respondents from several countries in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) named China as the most influential political and strategic power in Southeast Asia. This answer was particularly prevalent in Vietnam, as it was chosen by ****Â percent of the country's survey participants. Another common answer was the United States as an influential economic power in the region.
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ISEAS. (April 3, 2025). Most politically influential countries or regional organizations in Southeast Asia in 2026, by country [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/1481787/asean-most-influential-political-powers-by-country/
ISEAS. "Most politically influential countries or regional organizations in Southeast Asia in 2026, by country." Chart. April 3, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/1481787/asean-most-influential-political-powers-by-country/
ISEAS. (2025). Most politically influential countries or regional organizations in Southeast Asia in 2026, by country. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/1481787/asean-most-influential-political-powers-by-country/
ISEAS. "Most Politically Influential Countries or Regional Organizations in Southeast Asia in 2026, by Country." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 3 Apr 2025, /statistics/1481787/asean-most-influential-political-powers-by-country/
ISEAS, Most politically influential countries or regional organizations in Southeast Asia in 2026, by country ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1481787/asean-most-influential-political-powers-by-country/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Most politically influential countries or regional organizations in Southeast Asia in 2026, by country [Graph], ISEAS, April 3, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1481787/asean-most-influential-political-powers-by-country/
