Security Communities The Way Ahead for Asia
The author, Adm. Dennis C. Blair, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, addresses a multinational audience of Asia-Pacific military leaders in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by TSgt. Miguel Espinoza, USAF	"The United States has important security interests in all parts of Asia. By virtue of its central geography, so does China. . . . The door should be open to China to participate in the formation of security communities in the Asia-Pacific region." The Chinese naval vessel Zheng He enters Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor for an exchange visit.
"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.	"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." Then President-elect Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea meets with U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen.
"One approach to future security envisions a multipolar world where major states represent centers of power, continually maneuvering to create balances. . . . An alternative approach is one in which states concentrate on shared interests in peaceful development and actively promote diplomacy and negotiation to resolve disagreements." Japanese and U.S. airmen coordinate during a bilateral air exercise. Photo by MSgt. Val Gempis, USAF	"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." ASEAN member Singapore’s Air Force exercises with U.S. fighters in exercise COMMANDO SLING in Singapore. Photo by MSgt. Val Gempis, USAF
"In South Asia, the structures for a security community are weaker. The tense relations between Pakistan and India prevented a summit meeting among members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in December. Shared interests in peaceful development will become more apparent with improved dialogue." Gen. Ved Prakash Malik, Chief of Military Staff, India, meets with Adm. Blair at Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii. Photo by PH1 John M. Thornton, USN	"Despite extensive bilateral interactions, the armed forces of the Asia-Pacific region have no standardized procedures to work together. Communications are difficult, both because equipment is not fully interoperable and because of language difficulties. Yet these are challenges that can be surmounted. The successful international peace operations in East Timor have highlighted the need for the armed forces of the region to develop capabilities to work side by side." Australian Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove, who led the international peacekeeping force, shares insights with Adm. Blair in East Timor. Photo by PH1 John M. Thornton, USN
"Concentrating on capabilities to contribute to humanitarian and UN-mandated peacekeeping operations provides a framework for the employment of armed forces to which all UN members can agree. Habits of cooperation among participants in such operations are one key to building security communities." Opening ceremonies for a multinational peacekeeping training exercise between forces of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the U.S., hosted by the Royal Nepal Army at their peacekeeping training center. Photo by John Fairbank	"The U.S. military and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region are taking several initiatives to improve regional readiness for combined operations." Navies of six Asia-Pacific countries participate in RIMPAC, the earliest multinational exercise designed to improve interoperability and coordination between regional armed forces.

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