Pacific Currents: The Responses of U.S. Allies and Security Partners in East Asia to China's Rise

Confronting militant Islam in Southeast Asia: the case of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines

“…security cooperation creating a degree of U.S. strategic deterrence vis-à-vis China and strengthens the Philippines' diplomatic ability to counter Chinese political pressure in the light of Manila's and Beijing's dispute over the Spratly Islands. 20 Early this year, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Theodoro announced that the robust and sustained U.S.Á Philippine counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaign against the Abu Sayyaf (including the deployment of American troops in Mindanao) will certainly continue under the administration of President Barack Obama. In a press conference held in late January 2009, Secretary Theodoro confidently declared that both allies continue to benefit from their counter-terrorism cooperation and there has been no indication that either government wants to change the security arrangement that have bound their militaries since 9/11.…”

Fear Factor: Northeast Asian Responses to China's Rise

“…128 A Rand Corporation study observed that "growing concerns and anxieties about Chinese economic policymaking and diplomacy show that the honeymoon in Chinese-South Korean relations is decidedly over." 129 The combination of uncertainties over aspects of China's future domestic development and foreign policy suggests that South Korea will "seek to maintain good relations with China on the basis of -rather than instead of -a continued close alliance with the United States." 130 Indeed, the 2009 CSIS report shows much greater South Korean support for the United States over China.…”

“…129 The combination of uncertainties over aspects of China's future domestic development and foreign policy suggests that South Korea will "seek to maintain good relations with China on the basis of -rather than instead of -a continued close alliance with the United States." 130 Indeed, the 2009 CSIS report shows much greater South Korean support for the United States over China. Ninety-four percent of South Korean respondents said that the United States would be "the greatest force for peace in 10 years."…”

The India-Japan Security Relationship: An Enduring Security Partnership?

“…Tokyo's courting of a security relationship with India despite the lack of significant economic links has been called "a remarkable case of the Japanese flag preceding trade and investment." 105 Despite persistent attempts by the Japanese government to encourage Japanese private investment in India since the early 1990s, Japanese business is, and seems likely to continue to be, wary of doing business in India. While the theoretical literature indicates that a close economic relationship is not an absolute prerequisite to a good political and security relationship, 106 one might argue that a closer economic relationship would at least assist in avoiding a misalignment of interests, particularly in dealing with China.…”