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Abstract
This article evaluates the evolving strategic landscape in East Asia during the mid-1990s, marked by rising China, US alliance adjustments, and the economic dynamism of the region. It considers how economic interdependence coexisted with unresolved territorial disputes and military modernization. The paper explores debates on regional security architectures, including proposals for multilateral dialogues, security communities, and confidence-building measures. It argues that the future strategic framework would depend on reconciling US-led alliances with ASEAN-centered multilateralism, while accommodating China’s assertiveness and Japan’s search for a greater security role.
Full Text
The body begins with an assessment of regional drivers: China’s double-digit growth, Japan’s stagnation yet continued technological leadership, and the US role as guarantor of regional stability. Section One reviews alliance dynamics, including US-Japan defense guidelines, Korea’s security dilemmas, and Taiwan Strait tensions. Section Two analyzes ASEAN’s initiatives, including the ASEAN Regional Forum, as a platform for multilateral dialogue. Section Three examines proposals for new security frameworks that integrate economic and security dimensions, such as cooperative security and preventive diplomacy. Section Four assesses risks: arms buildup, nationalism, and environmental stress. The conclusion suggests that East Asia’s stability hinges on inclusive frameworks that balance power, manage disputes, and promote economic resilience.