US and Asia Today

4 developments with Asian countries over the past ten years

The First

The region’s growing economic and political weight. The region generates 30 percent of global exports and its two-way trade with the United States exceeds $1 trillion annually.

The Second Factor

• China’s rise, a trajectory that has introduced an increasingly self-assured, rich, and powerful actor into the strategic mix. To its credit, China understands it needs a peaceful security environment in order to realize its transformation. Yet this rise creates dilemmas: the growing strength of China’s military has alarmed its neighbors, who also depend on China for their own economic growth. China’s military strategy worries countries that see China’s quest for security creating insecurity for them.

Third Factor

The third factor is the emergence of an increasing number of nuclear weapons states and the attendant threat of proliferation. India and Pakistan have conducted nuclear tests, as has North Korea. China continues to modernize its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Russia is embarking on a strategic modernization program of its own.

The United States has withdrawn from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty and is deploying missile defense systems in the region. There are fears of an arms race. At the same time, there are rising concerns about production of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) technology, materials, and know how to large and smaller countries in Asia

The Fourth Factor

• An increasing interest in multilateral cooperation. Regular political dialogue, economic integration, and other aspects of globalization have created a new atmosphere in which countries are exploring cooperative approaches to a wide range of security challenges.

• In other words we are talking…..

Hot Spots

– Violent conflict and fragile governance present enormous challenges for development and security in Asia. In places where violence is widespread and government ceases to function, the pace of development falls dramatically and conditions can deteriorate to extreme levels. This is where conflict comes in.

– Some a couple countries to keep an eye on….

North Korea

• Take a look at their website:

• http://korea-dpr.com/

• Now take a look at the real North Korea

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxLBywKrTf4

Afghanistan

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VDNArLotuQ

Pakistan

• The Day of Love? Pakistanis protest ends up a disaster and a protest against Americans

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s-eMHSZ4L0

Just to name a few…

1. What actions should the US take to ease tensions in these areas? Should they be diplomatic, should we declare war, or should we stop trade?

2. Do you feel that there is a threat to our security here at home? Are we safe?

3. What are some possible acts of terrorism that we may have to deal with in the future?