Minding the Gaps: The Bush Administration and U.S.-Southeast Asia Relations

The period from the beginning of the Bush administration in January 2001 to the president's October 2003 visit to four countries in Southeast Asia marks a distinctive phase in U.S.-Southeast Asia relations. Both the U.S. and Southeast Asia were adroit in "minding the gaps" in relation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contemporary Southeast Asia 2004-04, Vol.26 (1), p.73-93, Article CS26-1d
Main Author: LIMAYE, SATU P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Armed forces
Bilateralism
Bush, George W
Cooperation
Counterterrorism
Countries
Economic relations
Foreign Policy
Foreign relations
Friendship
Government relations
International aspects
International military cooperation
International Relations
International relations-US
International security
Islam and politics
Military aircraft
Military defense
Military relations
Multilateralism
National Security
Presidents
Regional studies
Security Policy
Southeast Asia
Terrorism
Threats
U.S.A
United States
United States of America
War
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Summary:The period from the beginning of the Bush administration in January 2001 to the president's October 2003 visit to four countries in Southeast Asia marks a distinctive phase in U.S.-Southeast Asia relations. Both the U.S. and Southeast Asia were adroit in "minding the gaps" in relations for reasons that do not address fundamental questions regarding views or interests towards each other. First, early Bush administration approaches to foreign and security policy were adjusted as reflected in the new National Security Strategy. Second, the U.S. war on terrorism cast a new importance to terrorism in Southeast Asia. Third, Southeast Asian countries, confronted with terrorism, and desirous of maximizing opportunities from constructive relations with the U.S., sought to buttress ties with Washington. This pragmatic response on both sides to the post-September 11 environment led to the minding of gaps, rather than any rethinking on the part of the U.S. or Southeast Asian countries. While such a mutual approach in relations maximizes near- and mid-term cooperation, it leaves open to question longer-term trends in U.S.-Southeast Asia relations and the broader Asia-Pacific security environment.
ISSN:0129-797X
1793-284X
DOI:10.1355/CS26-1D