U.S. Security Strategy in the Asia-Pacific: Partnering With Asean to Maintain Stability Within the Region
Abstract
Throughout history, the United States has shifted its national security policy and developed new agendas for its defense forces based on the current state of affairs. In recent years, the United States (U.S.) has identified a change in circumstances and shifted its strategic focus from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region. The region has a rich history of diversity with a variety of different cultures, thus, presents a dynamic security environment in which the U.S. must develop tailored security strategies. The region has seen exponential growth in its population and has prospered economically in the last few decades. The U.S. has developed key partnerships and alliances in the region and has an obligation to assist its partners in ensuring that any threats to the social and environmental stability are managed in accordance with the rules of law. The U.S. relies on the region for trade of goods and has partnered with allies and other entities to maintain the regional stability. Asia-Pacific nations have faced many challenges that have resulted from such changes. Increased resource demands, violent extremism, and territorial disputes are examples of issues that are present in the region. China also poses unique challenges with its hegemonic actions and expansion of its sphere of influence in the region. The U.S. has taken steps to assess the state of the region, however, more strategies are needed to guide military leaders and policy makers. A stable security environment is the objective and partnering with international entities to collaborate and form cooperative strategic alliances can align the security objectives of the U.S. with its Asia-Pacific partners. This paper seeks to answer the question of whether a U.S. strategy toward partnering with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can serve as a mechanism to strengthen U.S. partnerships in the region while sustaining stability and maintaining the economic growth of the region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1054608
Entities
People
- Jacob B. Kolb
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College