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"The end of the Cold War affected security relations in the Asia-Pacific region less than in Europe, but it nonetheless provided a significant change in the regional security environment." The Korean War, where 36,616 U.S. soldiers gave their lives to help the UN save the Republic of Korea from conquest by the communist regime in North Korea, was a major Cold War era confrontation in Asia. |
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In Northeast Asia, the process led by former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry that brought together the United States and its Japanese and South Korean allies for genuine consultation and policy coordination on North Korea serves as an example. The four-party talks on Korea between South and North, the United States and China provide another mechanism for dialogue that emphasizes the shared interests in peace.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) represents a nascent security community. No member of ASEAN has fought a war with another member since joining the organization. Participants in the group have developed patterns of mutual predictability, contributing to trust within a framework that preserves their independence while advancing national interests.
The broader ASEAN Regional Forum on Asian security, The Five-Power Defence Arrangement linking Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Malaysia and Singapore, and U.S alliances and partnerships with other states in Asia and the Pacific also provide structures upon which security communities can be built.
