how much a member wants to be open. While some may see this casual character of ARF as a weakness, such non-supranational entity is necessary and inevitable for Asian security once again for the on-going distrust problem among countries.Indeed, there are cases of Asian security progress made under the ARF. By the joining of North Korea in the ARF, Japan and South Korea, the two prominent Asian countries concerned of North Korea, are able to build diplomatic relation with the state. Though not quite solved, the issue over South China Seas has been brought on the table numerous times where countries are able to voice with frankness. Despite its consensus and volunteer based dialogues, countries are gradually progressing towards trust and confidence. Yet, the ARF still faces limitations. For example the Forum still finds difficulty in conflict management. In the case of North Korean missile crisis, in which North Korea launched missiles and in which one of them flew over Japan, Japan did not consult the Forum but rather sought help from the US. Hardly anything was mentioned in the Forum. Moreover, North Korea claims that it was a satellite experiment and its actuality is yet to be found. Perhaps the most prominent criticism may come in the case of East Timor crisis. Contribution to resolve the problem did not arise in the dialogues. Wade Huntley and Peter Hayes, authors of East Timor and Asian Security, notes, the ARFs capacity to function as the fulcrum for regional security coordination and dialogue has been crippled, and it is unlikely that the ARF or nascent regional institutions will regain any major role in security deliberations or outcomes in the near future. With no other meaningful autonomous security institutions on the horizon, the path is again clear for big powers to contend for hegemony in the region (Huntley and Hayes). Perhaps, the current mechanism of the ARF is too loose and casual to actually solve conflic...
