As the global economic crisis increases the importance of trade, and China and the United States eye greater engagement with Southeast Asia, ASEAN may play a more robust role in the region.

Evan A. Feigenbaum argues that any multilateral group in Asia is more likely to be effective if Asian nations assemble those with the greatest power and capacity and have a clear, agreed purpose.

Stewart M. Patrick examines the relevance of the G20 framework in a web of existing multilateral institutions and groupings.

Joel D. Hirst discusses efforts by Honduras to rejoin the Organization of American States.

This Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review article by Sevil Küçükkoşum examines talk of increasing economic integration between Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan that has prompted visions of a new “Middle East Union” to rival the EU.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair discusses the Middle East

Philip Kazin, research director of the Baltic Research Center, a St. Petersburg-based think tank, says the agenda of the G-8 should focus on trade and energy issues, not on Russia's rollback of democracy.

The Charter entered into force on December 13, 1951 and established the Organization of American States. Twenty-one nations signed the agreement, "affirming their commitment to common goals and their respect for each nation's sovereignty." In 2011, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was formed as a counter regional bloc.