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Introduction
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Chapter
- Additional Information
By: ROS Size: 7.5" x 10.25" J/No: 03-14474 Fonts: New Baskerville Introduction 401 INTRODUCTION Sharon Siddique In the globalizing world of the twenty-first century, characterized, as it is, by the proliferation of multilateral agencies, institutions, commissions, organizations, associations and communities, we tend to forget that nation-states are still important actors on the international stage. Certainly this is true for the Southeast Asian stage, where Big Power rivalries have been a feature of regional political, trade, and security dynamics for decades (if not centuries). It is obvious that in the past fifteen years we have seen major shifts in the relative power of the major players in Southeast Asia. The United States of America has become the predominant global power, and, more than ever, its military, economic, and political clout in the region must be calibrated against its global vision and commitments. The United States is more important to Southeast Asia, than Southeast Asia is to the United States. The Soviet Union is no more, but Russia, it should not be forgotten, still plays a significant role in the larger Asian region, and future developments in Asian Russia (as opposed to European Russia) will certainly be monitored closely in Southeast Asia. China is the rising star of the new century, and is certainly set to make an impact on the region, and the world. Developments in China, and its perceptions of Southeast Asia in security, political, economic, and social arenas are one of ASEAN’s primary preoccupations at the dawn of the new century. Other states sharing borders with Southeast Asia also have distinct, and shifting, priorities regarding their interaction with ASEAN, and the relative importance which they attach to regional security, economic, and political relations. Japan’s fortunes appear to have waned during the past decade, and with them, Japan’s regional influence. But Japan as Number One, and its pivotal role as the lead goose in the “flying geese” development patterns of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s should not be dismissed. Japanese economic interests in ASEAN are still significant. India has always loomed as ASEAN’s giant neighbour to the south, via the Indian Ocean. Since Myanmar joined ASEAN, India also shares a long and strategic land border link with ASEAN. Australia’s national interest in its evolving relationship with ASEAN was highlighted in the pivotal role it played in the birth of Southeast Asia’s newest country, Timor Leste. This highlights Australia’s role as leader of the South Pacific region. In order to understand the ramifications 081 AR Section VII 22/9/03, 12:57 PM 401 By: ROS Size: 7.5" x 10.25" J/No: 03-14474 Fonts: New Baskerville 402 Introduction of the involvement of these nation-states in regional developments, another important factor is their intense and intertwined relations with each other. Sino-Soviet rivalries, which played such a dominant role in Indochina in the 1960s and 1970s, no longer exist in a world without competing Communist Superpowers. This has been reinforced by the fact that both China and Russia now aspire to be significant players in the global capitalist market place. The demise of the Soviet Union has of course also led to major security realignments between the United States and Russia. U.S.Soviet proxy clashes in the region are felt by their absence. U.S.-Japan relations revolve around the central question of Japan’s role as leader of an emerging “yen block”. This was illustrated by the U.S. reluctance to support the call for an Asian Monetary Fund, following the 1997 Asian economic crisis. All states are preoccupied with managing their evolving relationships with China, which has emerged as a giant on the global stage. Certainly the new linkages between China and Japan, the two dominant Asian players, will be critical for positioning Southeast Asia. Finally, in the shrinking world of geopolitics, there is a need to focus on events outside of Southeast Asia, which can have ricochet or ripple effects in the region. The U.S.-led War on Terrorism is such an example. Australia’s active involvement in the American–British coalition that invaded Iraq in early 2003, has strengthened the perception that Australia views its future quite differently from the ASEAN states. But ASEAN also has been drawn into the War on Terrorism. Southeast Asia, with its significant Muslim population, has been designated by some analysts as a new center for Al Qaeda operations. This perception has been reinforced...