Critics have pointed out the apparent ineffectiveness of the ASEAN-centric regional security architecture in managing East Asia’s evolving strategic dynamics, particularly where major power relations are concerned. Given this context, the project will explore the implications and lessons that other regional security architectures, particularly in Europe, Middle East and South Asia, could hold for the ASEAN-centric regional security architecture in East Asia. The scope of this project includes: (i) examining the objectives and functions of multilateral mechanisms that constitute the regional security architectures in Europe, Middle East and South Asia, as well as the Indo-Pacific Concept; (ii) exploring how these other regional security architectures are similar or different from the East Asian regional security architecture; and (iii) identifying lessons and implications that could support or undermine the ASEAN-centric regional security architecture in East Asia.