Significance of Post-War US Military Presence - Essay Example

Introduction This paper provides an insightful study into the significance of post-war US military presence for the continuation of security and stability in the Asian Pacific region. The countries in this region have been cultivating a sense of insecurity concerning the power accumulated by powerful states with a view to possible future aggression on their part. This had led many countries to enter into arms race, aggravating the status quo. Furthermore, the nuclear expansion plans vigorously undertaken by the North Korea further raise serious security concerns on the part of the East Asian countries as well the United States. In such a situation, the existence of US forces serves to be a balance of power in the region. This paper peeps into these aspects and also highlights the importance of multilateral arrangements for the promotion of security in the region. Asia Pacific Security And US Military Presence There has been an ever-increasing international concern, particularly on the part of the United States, regarding the state of security in the Asia Pacific region. United States has had vested interests in military deployment during the Cold War as to the influence of Russia in the region. After the Cold War, the American military existence and its continuity in the East Asian countries happens to be a debatable issue, owing to the perceived future friction among the states. Ball (1994, p87) states that, "one of the unfortunate consequences of the end of the Cold War is the likely increase in regional conflict". The existence and influence of US military forces in the Asia Pacific region acts as a buffer to protect the region from any possible contravention arising among the powerful states such as China, Japan etc. After the end of the Cold War, uncertainty concerning the state of regional security happens to be a constant factor. Many countries in the region comprehend the military power and influence of other countries as threatening to their national interests, hence creating a lack of cooperation among the states for regional peace. The most important element in this case happens to be the unprecedented growth of China as the regional power and rising concerns of East Asian countries regarding their national security. Several Asian Pacific countries have remained in alliance with the United States so as to curtail the political and military threats posed by China. Pablo-Baviera (2003, p343) elaborates that, "for Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, and even Singapore, alliances are seen as part of a hedging strategy in the event that the trajectory of China's development results in it becoming aggressive towards neighbors". This indicates a heightening sense of insecurity in the region concerning the possible consequences of aggression on the part of China towards these countries. In turn, these countries regard their alliance with the US forces as significant for the regional balance of power. Pablo-Baviera (2003, p343) also exposits that, "South Korea appears to be an exception in terms of perceptions of a China threat. The main role of its alliance with the United States is perceived as preventing aggression by North Korea against itself". The major challenge seen by South Korea encompasses the possibility of any action on the part of North Korea to despoil its national sovereignty. North Korea has, in essence, remained detached from the wave of cooperation in the region. Furthermore, the country's passion towards the expansion of its nuclear program causes profound terror to its neighboring countries. Cossa and Khanna (1997, p232) says that, "the isolation of North Korea and its hostility towards the South is one of the uncertain question facing regional relations". This contributes significantly to the regional instability by disengaging countries from collaborating with each other. With respect to North Korean nuclear progression, United States shares the same concerns on security issues, as this goes against the country's own national interests as well. This element also keeps the US committed to sustaining its military forces in the region. Cossa and Khanna (1997, p233) further illuminate that, "Japan is particularly challenged in its relations with China and South Korea to be perceived as a cooperative partner and not solely as a political actor or economic competitor, more so than in South East Asia". Hence, the growing regional insecurity is not just in response to the acclivitous power of China, rather it also concerns the clash of powerful countries in the Asia Pacific region. In response to the threats considering any possible future conflict, countries have been inclined towards the accumulation of military power and arms strength. Simon (1996, p388) says that, "virtually all Asia-Pacific states are engaged in arms acquisitions, military modernization, and the development of force projection", with the view to expand its military capacity more and more in comparison with the rival countries. However, not all states own the military might to the same extent as possessed by China and other powerful countries. Under such a situation, the presence of US with the military power ensures a sense of security for those countries. Buszynski (1992, p845) puts forward that the "states with limited capabilities could hardly ensure the security of the region on their own and that the continual support of the United States was required". The sustained US presence, therefore, plays a favorable role in averting any potential conflicts between the regional powers as well as their confrontation with smaller states. This serves to be the preeminent aspect of US military existence in the region. It is also considered that the condition of peace and security in the Asia Pacific domain would be very different in case of the US attempt to withdraw forces from the region. Simon (1991, p664) is of the view that "a drastic reduction of US forces, for example, would elevate the PRC, Japanese and Indian navies to the position of prominence previously unattained in the post World War era". An elevation of the Chinese, Japanese and Indian power would signify the centralization of power among few countries that might exploit it to gain influence over each other, even through the use of force. Hence, by despoiling the state of peace and security in the region, it would also affect its economic growth. In this view, it is often considered that the existence of American forces in the region upholds its peace and prosperity by avoiding contentions among the states on various regional and political issues. Cossa and Khanna (1997, p219) propounds that "the continuous US military presence in Asia is widely seen as a prime contributor to regional peace and stability". In case of the absence of United States and its military forces, the region would confront with the rising level of insecurity among the states, leading to responses detrimental to the recent economic growth witnessed in the region. United States, on the other hand, has its own foes and friends in the East Asian region. The country is driven certainly by its own particular interests and thus it cannot let its allies suffer from the consequences of regional conflicts. It would rather strategize to utilize its position to continuously influence the regional politics in favor of its allies and against its enemies. Simon (1991, p663) signifies that, "in the four decades after the Korean War, the United States developed a multiple carrier battlegroup strategy to protect its friends and deter its adversaries in the Western Pacific". Buszynski (1992, p845) mentions that considering the US interests associated with the Asia Pacific region, the country will continue to exercise its influence thorough military power and shape the region's security prospects, even after the United States has called back its forces from the Subic Bay, Philippines bases. This highlights the strategic importance of US interference for the enhanced regional military stability as well as the continuation of influence exerted on the part of the United States in the region. Hence, not only that the existence of United States holds eminent importance for the Asian Pacific countries in maintaining security among themselves, but there also happen to be less probabilities of America withdrawing its forces from the region. In order to ensure regional stability concerning security matters, an enhanced collaboration on the part of the Asian Pacific countries is crucial. This calls for the acknowledgment of the need for multilateral arrangements among all the states. Simon (1996, p394) opines that all the East Asian countries "would be involved in regional security matters anyway, the creation of a forum with ASEAN as its core would permit the South East Association to dominate its agenda and procedure". The rivalries and contraventions existing among the countries based on perceived as well as observed threats could be minimized if multilateral arrangements are ensured. In case of powerful countries, such as China, it is even more important to promote collaboration and cooperation with the other countries so as to alleviate the rising sense of insecurity among the smaller states. Buszynski (1992, p838) comments on the need to enter into multilateral adjustment with China as, "the dialogue that ASEAN hopes to establish with China over this issue needs to be orchestrated within a multilateral framework if there is to be any pragmatic adjustment of claims". Buszynski (1992, p834) also propounds that, "the kind of regional order that ASEAN has struggled to maintain within Southeast Asia requires an effort to influence major actors and security conditions outside the region". This view suggests that although the creation of multilateral adjustments is essential for the promotion of peace and stability in the East Asian domain, but it is also foremost important for ASEAN to involve the external forces in the process so as to maximize the impact of any adjustments. Conclusion This paper discusses the preeminence of the US military presence in the Asia Pacific region after the Cold War era. Although there happen to be no significant factors inducing the United States to continue its military existence in the East Asian countries after the war, but its intervention is being considered as important in maintaining peace and security in the region. The country plays an important role in curtailing the power clashes as well as contravention on the part of the smaller states. Without the US in Asia Pacific, the arms race among the states, in particular the North Korean plans for nuclear expansion, could result in desolated security status of the region. In such a situation, the presence of US forces is inevitable, however, the importance of multilateral arrangement in the region should not be ignored. Only then can the East Asian countries would be able to mitigate their reliance upon the US military power. Reference List Ball, D. (1994), "Arms And Affluence: Military Acquisitions IN the Asia Pacific Region", International Security, 18(3), pp. 78-112 Blair, D. and Hanley, J. (2001), "From Wheels to Webs: Reconstructing Asia-Pacific Security Arrangements", The Washington Quarterly", 24(1), pp. 7-17 Buszynski, L. (1992), "Southeast Asia In the Post Cold War Era: Regionalism And Security", Asian Survey, 32(9), pp. 830-847 Cossa, R. and Khanna, J. (1997), "East Asia: Economic Interdependence and Regional Security", International Affairs, 73(2), pp. 219-234 Pablo-Baviera, A.S. (2003), "The China factor in US alliances in East Asia and the Asia Pacific", Australian Journal of International Affairs, 57(2), pp. 339-352 Simon, S.W (1991), "US Interests In The Southeast Asia: The Future Military Presence", Asian Survey, 31(7), pp. 662-675 Simon, S.W. (1996), "Alternative Visions Of Security In The Asia Pacific", Pacific Affairs, 69(3), pp. 381-396 Read More