Anak Agung Banyu Perwita
The Jakarta Post
Opinion
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) last week. The formal establishment of this friendship treaty with the United States marks a new chapter in US-ASEAN relations.
Although relations between ASEAN and the US have no doubt been largely positive for both sides, the shift in US foreign policy regarding the region will no doubt impact future relations.
Even though many analysts have argued that Southeast Asia has enjoyed an environment of relative stability, it does not necessarily mean the region has been free from potential conflict. There are still many problems which have the potential to trigger an escalation of the complex pattern of relations among the members and non members of ASEAN. In other words, ASEAN should maintain its strategic opportunities by working well both internally and internationally.
In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, the US found itself in a paradoxical position with Southeast Asia and, more specifically, with ASEAN. On the one hand, relations with several ASEAN member states have expanded significantly with the US-led global war against terrorism and because of a new appreciation in Washington of China’s rise in the region.
These two factors sparked a modest renaissance in US bilateral relations with ASEAN. Washington found new common cause with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Manila in initiatives to strengthen anti-terrorism measures which included intelligence sharing, joint surveillance and police training.
However, critics make two arguments that detract from this claim. First, the global war against terrorism has created a backlash, particularly in Muslim areas of Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia.
Surveys suggest that the image of the United States in the region’s domestic populations has fallen significantly since the promulgation of the Bush doctrine and the beginning of the Iraq War. The post 9/11 era has diminished the power of state-centered political and military rivalry to dominate international relations.
On the other hand, many non-state actors now have a more significant global influence. There is also a process of reconfiguring power through which international security relationships are channeled.
A second argument holds that China has increased its political, economic, and security presence in Southeast Asia. US counter-terrorism policy has indirectly helped Beijing to deepen its engagement in smaller, poorer Southeast Asian countries where Islamic radicalism is not a major problem such as Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
The growing number of external powers seeking closer ties with Southeast Asia – Japan, Australia, India, Russia, the EU, as well as China – has led analysts on both sides of the Pacific to worry that the US presence in the region is diluted by default. A more specific concern is that a regional architecture is emerging which could weaken US power in the region, if not now then at some point in the future.
While there are no major problems that threaten the relations between ASEAN and the US in the near future, the lack of trust will lead to serious problem in the long term. Amid the rise of China as regional power, both ASEAN and the US have to make a greater effort to trust each other. They cannot take their common interests for granted. The common interests of containing communism during the Cold War and now in combating terrorism have no doubt brought the two parties together.
Secretary Clinton stated that a greater engagement with ASEAN is pivotal for the US. Further, US Ambassador to ASEAN Scot Marciel argued that the US also wants ASEAN “to remain strong and independent, enjoy peace, stability, ensure growing prosperity and greater freedom, achieve their goals for integration and [for the US] to work in partnership with ASEAN on bilateral, regional and global issues”.
Long lasting cooperation can only be built upon a more important foundation than simple interests. Trust and shared norms are essential if long lasting relationships are to be maintained. Unfortunately, so far, ASEAN-US relations have not reached a phase where trust and shared norms rule.
The writer is a Professor of International Relations at Parahyangan Catholic University and is Director of the Division of Global Affairs at the Indonesia Institute of Strategic Studies, Jakarta.
Although relations between ASEAN and the US have no doubt been largely positive for both sides, the shift in US foreign policy regarding the region will no doubt impact future relations.
Even though many analysts have argued that Southeast Asia has enjoyed an environment of relative stability, it does not necessarily mean the region has been free from potential conflict. There are still many problems which have the potential to trigger an escalation of the complex pattern of relations among the members and non members of ASEAN. In other words, ASEAN should maintain its strategic opportunities by working well both internally and internationally.
In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, the US found itself in a paradoxical position with Southeast Asia and, more specifically, with ASEAN. On the one hand, relations with several ASEAN member states have expanded significantly with the US-led global war against terrorism and because of a new appreciation in Washington of China’s rise in the region.
These two factors sparked a modest renaissance in US bilateral relations with ASEAN. Washington found new common cause with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Manila in initiatives to strengthen anti-terrorism measures which included intelligence sharing, joint surveillance and police training.
However, critics make two arguments that detract from this claim. First, the global war against terrorism has created a backlash, particularly in Muslim areas of Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia.
Surveys suggest that the image of the United States in the region’s domestic populations has fallen significantly since the promulgation of the Bush doctrine and the beginning of the Iraq War. The post 9/11 era has diminished the power of state-centered political and military rivalry to dominate international relations.
On the other hand, many non-state actors now have a more significant global influence. There is also a process of reconfiguring power through which international security relationships are channeled.
A second argument holds that China has increased its political, economic, and security presence in Southeast Asia. US counter-terrorism policy has indirectly helped Beijing to deepen its engagement in smaller, poorer Southeast Asian countries where Islamic radicalism is not a major problem such as Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
The growing number of external powers seeking closer ties with Southeast Asia – Japan, Australia, India, Russia, the EU, as well as China – has led analysts on both sides of the Pacific to worry that the US presence in the region is diluted by default. A more specific concern is that a regional architecture is emerging which could weaken US power in the region, if not now then at some point in the future.
While there are no major problems that threaten the relations between ASEAN and the US in the near future, the lack of trust will lead to serious problem in the long term. Amid the rise of China as regional power, both ASEAN and the US have to make a greater effort to trust each other. They cannot take their common interests for granted. The common interests of containing communism during the Cold War and now in combating terrorism have no doubt brought the two parties together.
Secretary Clinton stated that a greater engagement with ASEAN is pivotal for the US. Further, US Ambassador to ASEAN Scot Marciel argued that the US also wants ASEAN “to remain strong and independent, enjoy peace, stability, ensure growing prosperity and greater freedom, achieve their goals for integration and [for the US] to work in partnership with ASEAN on bilateral, regional and global issues”.
Long lasting cooperation can only be built upon a more important foundation than simple interests. Trust and shared norms are essential if long lasting relationships are to be maintained. Unfortunately, so far, ASEAN-US relations have not reached a phase where trust and shared norms rule.
The writer is a Professor of International Relations at Parahyangan Catholic University and is Director of the Division of Global Affairs at the Indonesia Institute of Strategic Studies, Jakarta.
17 comments:
Guys who are curious to know what went wrong to us in small countries.
White men ruled the world since many thousand years. In the past they took others' land, but now White men who remain superpowerful men are going to influence the planet in the name of Democracy, though the capitalist democracies had failed for a long times ago.
Small countries like us needs both China and US, because they both are competing. In Africa China bought most oil and the US has to move up fast.
These superpowerful nations China and US will never confront each other like fighting face to face, but they will use us small countries to do the jobs for them.
And don't forget to read why the US would defend only S. Korea and Thailand at all costs against Communists?
Russia're building Submarines and Helicopters for Youn; and troubles in Thailand and in Cambodia.
I am worried and I don't see any good sign for SEA.
Is Cambodia's oil a Curse?
US does not want China to expands that's why US always interfering or meddling....
Just crucify Mi Sompoeung Doss Koy Pimping Pussy University, end of the story!
No need to worry about white men, white this, white that.
All you and your people need to do is very simple - JUST PUT YOUR HEADS TOGETHER, PROBLEM SOLVE!
Geopolitically, the US is making significant inroads in securing regions around the globe that arestrategically located to serve the needs of the US national interests in those regions (e.g., Thailand, Philippine) for logistical operations.
PPU
12:38PM,
I beg that you can learn to rationalize instead of mocking online although you may be a stupidest poster.
If you are at the foreign land, you may be saved but the poor people in SEA such as in Cambodia may be all dead from the modern war with nuclear weapons.
USA, please show interest cambodia and make cambodia the 52nd state in the union of american system. god bless the USA and cambodia.
11:32AM
I agree with you.
On the basic of Geographical Politics, USA has to jump in to SEA in order to obstruct the influences of China that is expanding in the region.
It would be beneficial to Cambodia too, if the Government know how to take the opportunity.
truth hurts!!!!
Y r u so fking blind! Many of your blood generations had been suffered and perished, and your people and you are still have a big ego!
I have been reading your khmer lits and hx, and I have not had come across - WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME, YOUR KHMER PEOPLE HAD PUT YOUR FKING BRAINS TOGETHER?
Share your expertise!!!!!!
UP your 11:41AM!
If you don't see the US national interests in Cambodia, ask yourself why do we have the FBI attaché office and multi-million dollar US Embassy compound in Phnom Penh and other US troops providing medical aid and spreading in various rural areas in Cambodia?
PPU
11:41 AM (you're Khmer based on the info I collected)
It's a nice psychological tricks of the trade in an effort to trigger and stir the debate among the people in this site. Instead, next time, however, I suggest to use reverse psychology, it's plausibly a pragmatic approach, yet yield the same result.
PPU
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS
Your beloved King Sihanouk indulged Yuon PusC produced KR = 2 mills of your blood perished
30 years later, the Hun (related to the KR but was raised by the Viets) and the Viets are still living in your house.
You're right! "Nice psychological trick and yet yield the sam result." I couldn't have agreed with you more. Your people have not had a clue, as yet! When? I don't have a crystal ball!
(you're Khmer based on the info I collected) -- NICE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS!
I'm Asian, I'm Westerner, I'm Pacific Islander, I'm European - DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE POINTS I WAS MAKING?
Your Khmer people never had any clear plan, goals, and/or objectives, BUT ALWAYS BIG EGO!!!!
No psychobabbling about the psychological tricks "straight or reverse". I'm legal competent!
1:47 PM
Please do me a favor next time you see your king (un-Thai trouble maker), take a sharp stick and stick into his asshole for me, and one for yourself, too. Do it for your country. Certainly, your country will be proud of you and your family.
Tell your king that Mr. PPU sent you.
Oh, you have feel the heat from the South.
PPU
hey, don't be ignorant too long, doing business and having american interest in cambodia is very good for our country and the region as a whole, you know. welcome to cambodia, america! we want to embrace the USA forever. hey, it's a free world, you know! and we want to make it a free world in cambodia too! get your backward thinking rat brain out of cambodia if you are no doing anything good for cambodia, would you! bye, bye!
me love you long time, america!
GI, sucky sucky, me love you long time. welcome to my country cambodia!
Sure, i'll do that. But definitely i will save the best for you - the one with the sharp point and burning hot!
Squezz your own balls, if you could not breath!
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