Concern over North Korea's latest threats is also expected to gain attention over economic issues in the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, being held Wednesday and Thursday in Brunei's capital of Bandar Seri Begawan.

NPR: Sea Disputes, NKorea In Spotlight At ASEAN Summit

That may be an ASEAN or Asian monetary facility -- not a fund, but a facility from which the countries in most distress can draw some help.

CNN: 'We Remain Confident'

Wanandi: If that is the case as Manu says, then ASEAN is going to become irrelevant because the people won't feel the need or the importance of ASEAN.

CNN: ASIANOW - Asiaweek

Under the scheme, investors from any ASEAN country will be accorded "national treatment, " or the same privileges local investors receive, when they put funds into another ASEAN economy.

CNN: A 'BOLD' BAND OF BROTHERS

"ASEAN is in trouble with or without Anwar, but his sacking adds to the chaos, " says Charnvit Kasetsiri of Thailand's Thammasat University.

CNN: ASEAN LOSES CRITIC ANWAR

Even now, certain ASEAN members are close to China, Japan or the U.S., though the grouping itself is careful to maintain its impartiality.

CNN: The Bloc Buster

Others see membership of ASEAN as a way to keep Myanmar from moving entirely into China's orbit or, worse, becoming a cockpit of Sino-Indian competition.

ECONOMIST: An ugly regime becomes even uglier | The