In Jakarta, Kuwait's ambassador to ASEAN placed Iran's strikes against Gulf civilian infrastructure before Southeast Asia's diplomatic community, arguing that what appears to be a regional conflict is in truth a rupture in the international order that sustains global commerce and security. The gathering at the ASEAN Secretariat was itself a signal: Gulf states are no longer confining their appeals to traditional Middle Eastern channels, but are seeking solidarity from a bloc of eleven nations whose economic weight and strategic position make them indispensable partners. What emerged was not me