Enhancing the effectiveness of intelligence and information sharing in ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) to fight serious transnational crime: towards a “broader” regional security framework?

After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the international community clearly highlighted the need to prevent serious transnational crime, including terrorism. In this respect, sharing intelligence and information was identified as one of the best ways to prevent and investigate such crimes. However, up until now ASEAN has failed to implement any binding mechanism of cooperation. In this context, this PhD research project assesses the likelihood that an enhancement of intelligence and information sharing in ASEAN in order to fight serious transnational crime could lead to a broader regional security framework. This research project will therefore attempt to demonstrate that intelligence and information sharing are mechanisms that lead to the development of trust and enhanced cooperation between ASEAN Member States. This means of cooperation could ultimately lead towards the creation of a broader regional security framework offering a useful framework for future developments in security matters.