The United States and Asia: Toward a New U.S. Strategy and Force Posture

by Zalmay Khalilzad, David T. Orletsky, Daniel S. Goldberg, Kevin Pollpeter, Angel M. Rabasa

Overview

The past 20 years have been a time of relative peace in Asia and, notwithstanding the 1997-1998 financial crisis, a period of robust economic growth as well. Currently, however, Asia is beset by a variety of problems that could well imperil the stability it has long enjoyed -- including territorial disputes, nuclear rivalry, rising nationalist sentiments, and increased military capabilities. This report summarizes the manner in which the United States can best meet these challenges and thereby ensure continued peace and stability in the region. In the interests of this goal, the report outlines an integrated political, military, and economic strategy that the United States can pursue to inhibit the growth of rivalries in Asia and, more broadly, prevent the rise of instability in the region. Also delineated are changes in U.S. military posture that will be made necessary by this strategy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780833029553
Publisher:	RAND Corporation
Publication date:	06/12/2001
Series:	Project Air Force
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.60(d)

Read an Excerpt

The United States and Asia

Toward a New U.S. Strategy and Force Posture

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By Zalmay Khalilzad David T. Orletsky Jonathan D. Pollack Kevin L. Pollpeter Angel Rabasa David A. Shlapak Abram N. Shulsky Ashley J. Tellis

Rand Corporation

Copyright © 2001 Rand Corporation
All right reserved.

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Chapter One

INTRODUCTION: THE USAF AND ASIA

The past 20 years in Asia have been a time of relative peace that has seen Asian governments set aside their differences in order to concentrate on economic growth. At the same time, however, Asia's economic success-notwithstanding the financial crisis of 1997-1998-is providing many states with the means to act on latent rivalries and ambitions that had previously been subordinated to economic growth. Nationalism, territorial disputes, nuclear rivalry, and the potential rise of a hegemon may all disrupt the present political-military balance in Asia. In short, serious problems confront Asia that, if not well managed, could spell an end to the relative peace the continent has enjoyed for the past two decades.

Asia is, moreover, a region fraught with rivalry, suspicion, and insecurity. As China becomes more powerful, it may well become more assertive. India also has ambitions of becoming a major continental actor and, as evidenced by its 1998 nuclear tests, regards China as its primary long-term rival. Similarly, Japan may ultimately move toward a more independent foreign policy. More immediately, Korean unification or reconciliation could change the balanceof power in Northeast Asia.

The principal challenge for U.S. regional strategy is to prevent 21st-century Asia from becoming unstable and producing massive conflagrations. Toward this goal, the United States must begin to formulate policies that will enable Asia to develop peacefully and in ways compatible with U.S. national interests. The United States cannot hope to resolve every regional security issue in Asia, but together with its allies it can strive to focus on the larger issues while shaping the smaller ones so that they remain manageable. At the same time, the United States must build a framework for greater regional cooperation in Asia. Enhanced communication and more fully integrated economies will reduce misunderstanding and increase interdependence, thereby diminishing the likelihood of major-power rivalry and armed conflict. Expanded security alliances will further aid in deterring aggression.

To understand the region's future prospects and potential challenges to U.S. strategy, Chapter Two first examines the changing political-military environment in Asia and discusses possible outcomes. Chapter Three then deals with U.S. strategy for the region. It examines several alternatives for shaping and responding to the future Asian political-military environment and finally recommends a strategy of creating a "dynamic peace."

Chapter Four examines the military implications of the proposed strategy. It also focuses on possible military missions that the U.S. armed forces might be called on to perform in furtherance of that strategy and the implications for the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

Four appendices examine in greater detail the changing political-military environments in Northeast Asia, China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The United States and Asia by Zalmay Khalilzad David T. Orletsky Jonathan D. Pollack Kevin L. Pollpeter Angel Rabasa David A. Shlapak Abram N. Shulsky Ashley J. Tellis Copyright © 2001 by Rand Corporation . Excerpted by permission.
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