The ASEAN Drama: Half a Century and Still Unfolding reflects a diversity in thinking about ASEAN, its character, the issues the regional association faces, as well as the many dilemmas it encounters. The book is a forthright scrutiny of ASEAN by academics and diplomatic practitioners. The chapters examine various dimensions of ASEAN, namely: economic performance using a particular methodology to gauge such performance of the member-countries; civil society engagement with ASEAN; the political power relations and dynamics with ASEAN; the so-called regional identity as a “caring and sharing community;” the ASEAN bureaucracy and secretariat; and the characterization and dilemmas of ASEAN as a regional association.