Suchergebnisse

By deposing Saddam Hussein, the war in Iraq has shifted the balance of power in the Persian Gulf decisively in Iran's favour. Even before the invasion, Iran possessed a budding nuclear programme, the region's largest population, an expansive ballistic-missile arsenal, and direction over various terrorist organisations, which allowed it to extend its geopolitical reach. Regrettably, the Bush administration overlooked these assets, and America's removal of Iraq as the principal strategic counterweight to Iran paved the way for the expansion of Iran's influence. The critical issue now facing the United States is what it can do to mitigate potential threats to its interests if Iran succeeds in consolidating its new position as the leading power in the region. The best available option is a hedging accommodation strategy that would accept Iran's position as the new leading power in the Gulf region while providing some military aid to the major Arab states to help foster a new regional balance of power. (Survival / SWP)

Chinese and American policies toward mainland Southeast Asia exhibit interesting and complicated aspects as both great powers hedge against the future. Beijing has close relations with the Burmese Government as does Washington with Thailand. Vietnam, however, is more resistant to serious engagement with either China or the United States. Cambodia and Laos are afterthoughts for both Beijing and Washington. As China and the United States seek to influence mainland Southeast Asia, they encounter limits to their policies. The Burmese junta is wary of too much Chinese penetration and seeks to manipulate the availability of its oil and gas sales among Beijing, Tokyo, and New Delhi. Washington, despite close military relations with Bangkok, finds Bangkok willing to substantially engage economically with the Chinese. In conclusion, China views mainland Southeast Asia from a strategic viewpoint while the United States, preoccupied with Iraq and Afghanistan, usually concentrates on governance and democracy issues in mainland Southeast Asia. (Contemp Southeast Asia/GIGA)

Enthält Rezensionen u. a. von: Carothers, Thomas: Aiding democracy abroad: the learning curve. - Washington/D.C. : Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1999. - 411 S