Thai security forces preparing to burn seized drugs in Bangkok.

Despite extensive diplomatic cooperation and economic interaction, many Asia-Pacific militaries are less than optimally trained and equipped to work with each other in response to real-world crises. Many of the pressing security challenges faced by Asia-Pacific nations, such as illegal drugs, maritime piracy, natural disasters and environmental degradation are of a magnitude and a transnational nature such that no one nation can achieve a solution independently. Leveraging the recognition that interdependence is a key component, Asia-Pacific nations can develop multilateral interaction and support for one another based upon common shared interests under a framework called enhanced regional cooperation.

Attendees from 37 nations at a recent Military Operations and Law Conference in Honolulu.

Enhanced Regional Cooperation

Although enhanced regional cooperation is not a new concept, it has evolved and been adapted by USCINCPAC to reflect the unique concerns of the contemporary Asia-Pacific security environment.

In attempting to define enhanced regional cooperation, it is as important to state what enhanced regional cooperation is not as what enhanced regional cooperation is. Enhanced regional cooperation is not a NATO, a Partnership for Peace or other collective security mechanism. It is not established by treaties, alliances or other binding relationships. It is not aligned or directed at any nation or group of nations. Enhanced regional cooperation is not designed to replace or overshadow existing security mechanisms such as ASEAN or the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Rather, enhanced regional cooperation is a voluntary, flexible grouping of nations dedicated to working together to achieve practical solutions to pressing transnational security issues. Enhanced regional cooperation is inclusive. It is intended to supplement and build upon the achievements of ASEAN and the ARF. Significantly, no member of ASEAN has fought a war against another since its founding in 1967.

-The fundamental security challenge in the Asia-Pacific region is to transform the balance of power approach proposed by those who advocate a multi-polar global power structure into one where the prospect of using armed force to resolve disputes never arises. The challenge is to nurture a security approach in Asia in which the nations:

-Genuinely do not plan or intend to fight each other

-Are willing to put collective efforts into resolving regional points of friction

-Are willing to contribute armed forces and other aid to UN mandated operations to support diplomatic solutions

-Are willing to contribute to humanitarian operations, and

-Are willing to plan, train and exercise their armed forces together to build trust and confidence, and capabilities to conduct these kinds of operations

Enhanced regional cooperation can, through willing participation, sustained dialogue, and the development of shared capabilities, meaningfully contribute to a prosperous and secure Asia-Pacific environment.