What nation is the most influential in Southeast Asia?

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Gary Polk PhD in International Relations, University of Cambridge (Graduated 2003)7y What nation is the most influential in Southeast Asia? I’ll give you my ranking of all 11 Southeast Asian countries.

1. Indonesia: Biggest country demographically and economically in the region, member of G-20, purveyor of ideas and norms in ASEAN (along with Singapore), and the region’s most powerful army (but not navy or air force). Recognized “big brother” of ASEAN, though still lacking considerably in many places.
2. Singapore: The richest country in the region and a country that definitely punches way above its weight in diplomacy. Doing more assertive job of standing up to China than Indonesia in Southeast Asia. Its size make all its achievements the more impressive – but its size will forever be its weakness as well. Wields economic/diplomatic power through Temasek Holdings.
3. Thailand: The second biggest economy in the region. Through the Rusk-Thanat Communique, has alliance with the US. Considerable influence in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia (to a lesser extent). Although the country is ravaged by decades of political instability, the Thai economy seems to have a mind of its own.
4. Malaysia: After Singapore, the region’s second most powerful financial hub. Both market and innovation-friendly and home to some of the region’s most powerful companies – Petronas, Grab, AirAsia (amongst others). Under some strain thanks to Najib, but Mahathir could hopefully take things forward.
5. Vietnam: Fastest growing economy in Asia (third in the world). One of the most powerful armies in the region. Maintains strong strategic ties with India and increasingly US and Russia. Fear of China is driving military growth, but economic relations is driving dependence with China. Considerable influence in both Cambodia and Laos (mainly ideological – communism in Laos, putting Hun Sen into power in Cambodia).
6. Philippines: Second biggest country in ASEAN. Duterte’s proven that one does not need to be a big country to influence dynamics in regional power balance – his Janus-faced embrace of China and US has been biggest influence in South China Sea dynamics. Despite that, Philippines still lacks serious military power and economic development, particularly in its south. Definitely a country to watch, but not a top 5 ASEAN power for now.
7. Cambodia: One of four least-developed countries in ASEAN. Now, arguably, most authoritarian country in the region after Hun Sen completely quashed opposition. Suffers economic asymmetry with China.
8. Myanmar: Formerly the richest country in Southeast Asia, though decades of mismanagement have transformed this state into the region’s poorest. Democratic leadership has not brought it the kind of stability many had hoped for, but there is still progress. Suffers severe internal stability. Treatment of Rohingya population has worsened Myanmar’s relations with West and brought them threat of terrorism.
9. Brunei: Ten years ago, Brunei would probably a lot higher in this list. However, the country is definitely undergoing a rough time. Draining oil supplies is creating a dependent relationship with China.
10. Laos: One of four LDCs in ASEAN. Economically dependent (and highly manipulable) by China. What it lacks in economic and diplomatic power, it makes up in the internal strength of the communist party.
11. East Timor: The region’s newest country. Trying to get back up after decades of oppression by first, the Portuguese, and then the Indonesians. Doing better economically than the rest on this list. But, lacks diplomatic capital as it has few international platforms to voice its concerns (particularly a platform where it can exercise ASEAN-style veto through a “consensus”)

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