Asian Values, American Interests. A Framework for Confidence Building in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Southeast Asia presents a challenge, unique among the regions studied, in presenting a relatively benign security environment among a group of stable, prosperous economies. Relations among the nations of the region are good, and internal stability and legitimacy have been achieved politically, albeit under relatively authoritarian regimes. Such a situation might invite complacency, yet, ironically, it is precisely that complacency that could be the source of future instability. The challenge of maintaining the current regime of stable, prosperous countries requires a continuing, active U.S. presence in the region that antagonizes neither the countries in the region, nor potential competitors outside the region. This paper examines current U.S. national interests and objectives in Southeast Asia, discusses the context of and challenges to securing those interests, and proposes a "light-handed" approach calibrated to the sensitivities and needs of Southeast Asians.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA443523

Entities

People

  • Frank Young
  • Thomas Malone
  • Wayne Neill

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Asia
  • Climate Change
  • Cold War
  • Commerce
  • Democracy
  • Economic Security
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Environment
  • Human Rights
  • Instructors
  • National Security
  • Persian Gulf
  • Security
  • Southeast Asia
  • Technology Transfer
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.