Peace in East and South East Asia, the American Myth
For nearly 40 years after the Americans fought its last war in Vietnam and scooted out of the region, East and South East Asia enjoyed unprecedented peace. The primary concern of the countries in the region after Vietnam, 1975, was economic development and trade.
All this is changing when the Americans decided to return to the region in its so called pivot to Asia. The Americans are telling the countries that they need America to keep peace and stability. The truth is just the opposite. In trying to justify its presence and return to Asia, the Americans have been behind all the tensions in the region, encouraging little countries to challenge China with tacit support of the American war machine.
The Americans are also signing more military pacts with countries in the region in the name of peace and stability, starting with Australia and New Zealand. It is reviving its treaties with Japan, the Philippines and even Thailand. It is encouraging the remilitarization of Japan and egging India to play a bigger military role in its containment of China. These are the American’s way of a peaceful return to Asia. In the wake of its return, a trail of tension has been building up. And it is exactly this, created by the Americans, to tell the countries in the region that they need the Americans in order to have peace.
The truth is that there were peace and stability till the Americans made its presence again and war could break up anytime now. And the Americans are telling the countries in Asia that without the Americans, there will be no peace and stability, that Asian countries cannot keep peace and must be led by the Americans. And the willing spoilers in Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and India are actively provoking China to respond aggressively to vindicate the American position that America is the answer to peace and stability in the region. And of course, China is the aggressive and expansionist power, asserting itself and bullying the smaller countries.