THE IMPACT OF AUKUS ON THE FORMATION OF A NEW BALANCE OF POWER IN THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION
The article presents an analysis of the reaction and assessments of the countries of the Pacific region and ASEAN members to the formation of the AUKUS alliance. Despite the divergence in the views many states of the Asia-Pacific region cautiously have accepted the fact of the creation of AUKUS. The ASEAN countries face the challenges of intensifying rivalry between the US and China, maintaining unity within ASEAN, and keeping the balance of power and stability in the context of possible new security mechanism. AUKUS activities may provoke a regional arms race in certain areas and create new problems for regional stability. At the same time, there are uncertainties regarding the implementation of AUKUS, which raises doubts about the possibility of maintaining a balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. With the growing strategic rivalry between the US and China is on the rise, the strategic landscape in the region could become even more divisive and competitive.