![](https://consortiumnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ASEAN_Flags-100x100.jpg)
Amid growing trade and economic cooperation in the region, M.K. Bhadrakumar looks at how smaller countries there are trying to steer clear of Washington’s attempts to cause friction between them and China.
While intelligence agencies were looking in all the wrong places, a conspicuous target slipped through the cracks, writes Suzie Dawson.