The United States and the Asia-Pacific region - Essay Example

The United s and the Asia-Pacific region Introduction The United s of America retains its presence in different regions of the world for purposes outlined in its strategic goals in the foreign policy. The country also extends its economic policies to those regions for its benefits and those of its allies. The Asia-Pacific region is one that the United States is keen to consider to promote peace and uphold the core principles agreed upon with the allies of the region. It is particularly heavy on tensions. A lot of military power is concentrated in the region and there is a prevalent proliferation of destructive weapons (The Asia-Pacific Strategy Working Group 1). It presents a cause for concern for the United States in a bid to maintain a balance and consequently maintain peace. The U.S promotes peace and economic progress by a military and economic strategies. This paper will seek to explore how America’s economic and military power assists in peace in the Asia-Pacific Region. The United States is directly and indirectly responsible for stability in the Asia –pacific region. The country has established long-standing security commitments to assist its allies in the region. As such, the country has injected resources and used its manpower to fulfill its commitments. In this century, the United States has been physically involved in assisting its allies in the region to deal with aggression that jeopardizes their sovereignty (Peritz 1). For instance, America was heavily involved in the Vietnam and Korean War to protect the allies from the vices of a political system that does not prioritize democracy (The Asia-Pacific Strategy Working Group). America recognizes that there are conflicts in the Asia-pacific region that have the potential to escalate and reach the global scale. Apart from protecting its interests and commitments to the region, United States bolsters security for the regions’ and global sake. America has several security partnerships with Asian-pacific regions to provide physical, technological and information help. It has an intelligence-sharing agreements with major countries of the regions such as Japan and South Korea. This is instrumental in creating a more networked coalition to promote peace. Apart from that, the United States provides its key allies with technological assistance to enhance their defense. Military cooperation in the form of combined drills helps Asia-pacific powers such as Korea to be well equipped to extend the mandate of the U.S in the area. By offering security assistance, America hopes to equip its allies to deal with their security directly. America has the political and military ability to bring warring parties in the region to a common table. This process is essential in diffusing tension. This is a diplomatic approach that the country pursues based on several considerations. For instance, the region has some of the countries with the biggest military might, including nuclear weapons (Vicziany 13). The military developments in the region is immense and acts of aggression are likely to cause massive impacts. A move towards production of weapons of mass destruction on a large scale not only threatens the region but also the world. America uses its influence to avoid the proliferation off destructive weapons. Based on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) OF 2010, the U.S is keen to get Asia-pacific countries to scale down on their nuclear developments (Long 89). It is essential for the military undertakings to be controlled to avoid war rhetoric or threats. The United States, while seeking to use its diplomatic appeal aims to get an alliance that stands strong to neutralize threats to the stability of the Asia-pacific region. High on the priority list of America in its foreign policy is the freedom of navigation is the Asia-pacific region. Freedom of navigation is labeled as a prerequisite element in regional stability. Additionally, it is instrumental in ensuring that America protects its interests in the region. There are some major conflicts in the Asia-pacific region involving navigation and territorial limits. America is a critical third party in aiding the the resolution of problems that threat the freedom of navigation in the region. It helps to diffuse tension and engage other parties such as the United Nations in solving such disputes (Vicziany 131). American military bases stationed primarily in Japan and South Korea are heavily responsible for the political and economic progress of the Asia-pacific countries. American economic power can be used as a bargaining tool to get countries in the region to act for the sake of regional stability. This may come in the form of sanction for countries that do not conform to peace agreements. While at it, the military might come in handy whenever there is a need to protect its allies from the threat of other countries that employ violent political tactics to pursue their interests in other countries (Vicziany 37). An example of both elements of American power is seen in the Korean conflict where the U.S can mobilize sanctions against North Korea in case of any aggression towards the South or any other American ally in the region. The power of the United States is essential in getting the Asia-Pacific countries to deal with non-traditional security challenges. The major non-traditional security challenge is climate change. United States is on the forefront to exercise its power to influence countries in the region towards tackling climate change (Cossa and Center for a New American Security 4). Asia-Pacific are engaged in intense industrialization that poses a threat to their security. A blame game is likely to ensure due to some countries polluting the environment more than the others. A hostile environment is inevitable in the event that some countries proceed with their industrialization with no concern for the wellbeing of the others. However, the United States has the ability bring all parties to agree on a strategy that safeguards them all. It will require intense bilateral discussion with major industrial Asia-pacific countries such as China and India. However, America has the ability to negotiate a common agreement that deals with combating climate change as a security threat. Peace in the Asia-pacific region is highly dependent on the abilities of countries to support their own security. The ability of a country to defend itself helps it maintain its sovereignty and deter any aggression. The United States is keen to enable the allies in the region to support themselves in terms of security by helping them economically. Peace is also imperative if the countries in the region are to enjoy economic success. The U.S has entered into economic partnerships with countries in the region such as South-Korea to improve their ability to improve their economies (Aggarwal and Govella 55). Consequently, they can invest in security and maintain their power in the region. The United States trade with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region is critical in the development of economic infrastructures for regional security and development. It is significant to note that American focus on enabling the Asia-pacific countries to enhance their capabilities increases the scope of security. A focus on diplomacy and security assistance without letting the Asia-pacific countries handle their destinies regarding security would fall short of prolonged peace and stability of the region. The American commitment to the provision of the necessary conditions for economic growth of countries in the Asia-pacific region undergoes review very often. The U.S is keen to improve its economic assistance so that countries can rely on themselves for all their security needs. America has no territorial ambitions but rather stands to gain from enhanced stability and economic progress of the countries in the region. To encourage free trade and open markets is instrumental for regional peace and the economic progress of the United States (Aggarwal and Govella 72). In all aspect, it is a win-win situation. Moreover, free trade agreements encourages increased dialogues between Asia-pacific countries that improves diplomatic ties. The interdependency is vital for regional peace and progress. The United States is at the center of the encouraging more interdependency as an economic powerhouse. Peace is a factor of certain global values such as democracy, religious freedom, respect of human right and human rights (Cossa and Center for a New American Security 44). These global values remain as vital interests of the United States. They are requisite for peace and ideal for adoption by all countries in the world. As such, the United States’ agenda of peace and stability in the Asia-pacific region is highly dependent on the presence of the values in the countries. America has the military and economic elements to intervene and cause the regimes in the regions to uphold these values. In the end, internal peace is likely to thrive when the political wings uphold the values in their governance structure. Lack of respect for the global norms can throw the region and the world in turmoil. As such, American role in ensuring adherence to the values lays the groundwork for the internal and regional peace of the Asia pacific region. Islamic extremism is a destructive phenomenon in the Asia-pacific region. Some Asia-pacific countries are highly affected by Islamic extremism that threatens core values and security of the countries. Islamic terrorism in the past was not a major issue in Asia-pacific countries. The region’s countries were quick to identify the sources and handle the threats it posed to political and security stability. However, the situation has changed dramatically in recent times. Conservative religious leaders, especially in Islam are offering a wrong interpretation of Islam to cause instability (The Asia-Pacific Strategy Working Group 1). They are associating their personal or religious agenda with the involvement of America in their countries. As America gets more involved in aiding the Asia-pacific nations, they are spreading anti-western sentiments that are not accurate or warranted (Cossa and Center for a New American Security 54). A security threat emerges when the anti-western antics give rise to terrorism acts against other citizens, institutions and the United States. America recognizes this prevalent menace and works with the most Asia-pacific regimes to manage Islamic extremism (Long 155). It does so by assisting the countries in intelligence collection and vigilance activities, especially on separatists groups. Most of the U.S assistance in combating Islamic extremism goes to Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand. America is helping the Asia-pacific countries to distinguish the individuals that practice the violent version of Islam and limit their influence on the political process. It encourages moderates in the countries to identify the sources of misinformation and deceit that leads to citizens becoming radicalized. The United States also encourages peace in these countries by encouraging inter-faith dialogues to quell tensions and avoid divisions (Cossa and Center for a New American Security 55). In conclusion, it is evident that the ability of the United States to use is military and economic power in Asia-pacific is unparalleled. It not only provides physical security assistance to its allies but also assist in building their capacity to enhance their security. The powers also puts it in a position to influence the countries towards a path of stability and conflict avoidance. Ultimately, the Asia-pacific countries reap the benefits of peace while America protects its interests in the region. Works Cited Aggarwal, V. K., and K. Govella. Linking Trade and Security: Evolving Institutions and Strategies in Asia, Europe, and the United States. New York: Springer, 2012. Print. Cossa, R. A., and Center for a New American Security. The United States and the Asia-Pacific region: Security strategy for the Obama administration. Washington, DC: Center for a New American Security, 2009. Print. Long, S. J. "The United States, Southeast Asia, and Asia-Pacific Security." Asia Policy 12.1 (2011): 2-7. Web. . Peritz, A. "The American Military Must Keep the Peace Between China, Japan and South Korea - US News." N.p., 10 Dec. 2013. Web. . The Asia-Pacific Strategy Working Group. "Securing US interests and values in the Asia-Pacific." N.p., 4 June 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2015. . Vicziany, M. Controlling arms and terror in the Asia Pacific: After Bali and Baghdad. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2007. Print. Read More