16 August 2005
- RSIS
- Publication
- RSIS Publications
- Betwixt and Between: Southeast Asian Strategic Relations with the U.S. and China
RSIS Monograph No. 7
This short volume compares key Southeast Asian states’ approaches to China and the United States in regional security. The states in the region are sometimes portrayed as having a unified stance: they are eager to develop closer political and economic relations with China, while maintaining a preference for strong U.S. military and strategic involvement, as a hedge against the possible failure of engagement with China. But there is in fact a range of views and expectations on this issue. Within the new context of counter-terrorism, there are rising worries about the implications of a trend towards unilateralism in American foreign policy. At the same time, China has adopted a more assertive Southeast Asian policy with a decade of successful diplomacy and deepening economic links. These trends present complications and opportunities for Southeast Asian countries, creating important emerging differences in their regional security strategies.
Last updated on 13/02/2023
RSIS Monograph No. 7
This short volume compares key Southeast Asian states’ approaches to China and the United States in regional security. The states in the region are sometimes portrayed as having a unified stance: they are eager to develop closer political and economic relations with China, while maintaining a preference for strong U.S. military and strategic involvement, as a hedge against the possible failure of engagement with China. But there is in fact a range of views and expectations on this issue. Within the new context of counter-terrorism, there are rising worries about the implications of a trend towards unilateralism in American foreign policy. At the same time, China has adopted a more assertive Southeast Asian policy with a decade of successful diplomacy and deepening economic links. These trends present complications and opportunities for Southeast Asian countries, creating important emerging differences in their regional security strategies.
Last updated on 13/02/2023