Suchergebnisse

Most of the major studies of terrorism in Southeast Asia emphasize international terrorist links and religious ideology, while more locally-embedded accounts draw attention to historical and political context. Despite this plurality in terrorism studies, flaws and omissions across four issues are common: the nature of terrorist links and information on them, Islam, the United States and the causes of terrorism. A substantial section of studies of terrorism are based on compromised information and substitute descriptive detail for analysis. They frequently depict Islam and anti-American views as incipiently threatening precursors to terrorism and underplay political grievances, particularly as they relate to the United States. Valuable work has drawn attention to local political contexts and grievances, and has begun to explore the ideas and perceptions of militant groups. However, most of the leading experts on terrorism in the region are engaged in academically unproductive attempts either to reconstruct the trail of terrorist activity on the basis of official information or to explain terrorist violence as the product of individual pathology. (Asia Pac Viewp/DÜI)

The collapse of East-West competition for global preeminence is unleashing powerful forces for strategic change in the Asia-Pacific region. A reconfiguration of the regional security balance is taking place, especially a resurging naval rivalry, aspiring hegemons--notably China, Japan and India-- jostle for leadership roles. This report examines the central role being played by China in the unfolding security changes in Asia. Chinese naval modernization is analyzed within the context of China's Southeast Asian maritime interests, its new maritime strategy, and its evolving naval capabilities. The report recommends: maintaining a significant U.S. naval presence in Asia to protect American economic and political interests in the region; creating a loose yet textured and inclusive multilateral set of security relations in the Asia- Pacific region; initiating a Sino-American naval rapprochement as a prelude to enhanced regional naval cooperation; and, reassuring America's friends in the region through a continuing American naval deterrence ; Prepared for: the Chief of Naval Operations, Strategy, Plans and Policy Division and the Naval Postgraduate School. Funding was provided by the Chief of Naval Operations. ; http://archive.org/details/expandingchinese00wint ; RGTBN OP-60 ; NA ; Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

The sea dominates Southeast Asia, covering roughly 80 percent of its area. The region's islands and peninsulas, wedged between the Pacific and Indian oceans, border major arteries of communication and commerce. Thus the eco- nomic and political affairs of Southeast Asia have been dominated by the sea. In the premodern period, ports such as Svirijaya and Malacca established empires based upon sea power in area waters. In succeeding centuries European warships and their heavy guns were the keys to colonization.