Download

Download Full Text (739 KB)

Description

The security situation in Southeast Asia is remarkably complex, with multiple forces and trends emanating from within the region and impacting it from without. The forces at work fall into two broad categories. One involves globalized, transnational, and multinational factors, such as rapid economic change with profound implications for political stability; the sudden emergence of militant jihadist networks that have mounted violent attacks against the political and cultural status quo in much of the region; and transnational environmental and health issues typified by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic and current concerns regarding avian flu. Second, the dramatic growth in Chinese power (economic, military, and diplomatic) confronts the region with a situation familiar to traditional geopolitics. Both Chinese policy and some regional responses (notably those of Singapore) reflect a sophisticated understanding of the nuances of classic realpolitik.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Region(s)

Asia, Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific

Topic(s)

National Security, Defense Policy

Publication Date

10-2006

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

Southeast Asian security challenges, U.S. policy toward Southeast Asia, regional instability in Southeast Asia, Great Power competition in Asia, Southeast Asian political security, insurgency and terrorism in Southeast Asia, U.S.-ASEAN security relations, U.S. defense posture in Asia

Southeast Asian Security Challenges: America’s Response?

Share

COinS