ASEAN in the US Asia-Pacific Policy in 2009-2016

The master’s coursework was carried out within the framework of the educational program "International Relations: European and Asian Studies". The purpose is to determine the place and role of ASEAN and the ASEAN-centric formats and initiatives of multilateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific policy of the USA during the period of B. Obama's presidency in 2009-2016 years. This applies the approach to ASEAN as a central element of the architecture of international relations in Southeast Asia. In his work the author asks the extent to which the existing paradigm of relations between the United States and ASEAN, including the Strategic Partnership, is relevant to the realities of modern international relations in the APR and the perspective plans of ASEAN. The dissertation sets out the tasks of identifying and systematizing the main approaches of the American establishment to the policy in the APR, and after, determining and substantiating the role of ASEAN within the framework of the American policy of "pivot" and "rebalancing" in the APR. On the basis of his research, the author comes to conclusions confirming the hypothesis, that taking into account growing conflict in US-China contradictions, a "reset" of US relations with ASEAN will occur with the emphasis on expanding cooperation agenda. However, considering D. Trump presidency, this agenda will refer to a bilateral track with the most influential ASEAN countries. Keywords. USA, ASEAN, APR, policy of "pivot" and "rebalancing", ASEAN-US strategic partnership.