This article deals with the major power equations that have a strong bearing on Southeast Asia's international relations. Although the interactions between the major powers have a significant impact on the region, it must not be assumed that the region is merely a passive onlooker. The South East Asian States have generated norms of interstate behavior which act as guidelines for relations between regional and extra-regional states. The region's intra-regional and international relations are shaped by the presence of extra-regional actors with vested interests.
[...] The third factor that contributed to the alienation of America with this region was the East Timor crisis which saw a widening in the gap between US and Indonesia. In subsequent years Washington's obsession with the war on terror added to the feeling of neglect in the region and opened it up for China. China took advantage of the opportunity and shifted its policy from a confrontational approach in the 1990's. Instead China focused on using a “soft power” approach to regional diplomacy that combined improving diplomatic relations while investing in economic and Infrastructure development projects. [...]
[...] US had taken steps in both countries to try and balance Beijing's influence. For instance, US recently increased development and military aid in both countries. Cambodia and Laos which had traditionally been blacklisted by America were removed from the trade blacklist in early 2010 by the Obama Administration. This move is aimed at opening up the way for American companies to apply for financing through the US Export-Import Bank for loan guarantees, export credit insurance and working capital guarantees. The US has also stepped up military cooperation with Cambodia, providing it with military equipment and agreeing to participate in joint military exercises in the near future. [...]
[...] The Bush administration initiated steps to remedy the oversight with the creation of a US ambassador for ASEAN Affairs. The Obama administration has continued the efforts of the previous government. The first step in this direction was the inaugural visit of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's to South East Asia in February when she visited the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. This visit was followed by her the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phuket, Thailand which she attended, and signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. [...]
[...] Cultivating spheres of cooperation - not competing spheres of influence - will lead to progress in the Asia-Pacific." He went on to say that, "The United States does not seek to contain China, nor does a deeper relationship with China mean a weakening of our bilateral alliances." Power equations in South East Asia Political analysts differ in their opinions of China's ultimate intentions in the region. Some conclude that Beijing is seeking to dominate the region, to the detriment of the US, with the aim of securing its contiguous southern provinces from outside influence. [...]
[...] China's has succeeded in making inroads into the South East Asian region at a time when US attention was largely diverted, towards Iraq and Afghanistan and more broadly on the "war on terror". Arrogant response of the US Although the US was traditionally very close to South East Asian countries, this proximity was affected by a perception of its arrogance and its opportunistic response to the 1997-98 financial crises in Asia. At the time of the crisis The US advocated the wisdom Western management techniques and claimed that opening up the markets was the best possible solution to the crisis that had resulted in a crash in asset values and resulted in huge debts for businesses. [...]
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