Publication

This report examines the Pentagon's new strategy towards Southeast Asia. While the region slipped off the American radar following the end of the Vietnam War and the subsequent withdrawal of United States forces from the Philippines, it reappeared on the Pentagon’s radar after 11 September 2001. Increased levels of military cooperation between the US and Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have come about as a result. The authors conclude that these initiatives appear to be part of the US Defense Department’s plan to marshal the local know-how of regional governments in prosecuting the tactical war on terrorism.