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quo. The administration states that its latest

Square massacre, China is combining support

East Asia "report should provide a sense of

for greater economic liberty with (admittedly

U.S. continuity and stability in the midst of

inconsistent) respect for greater individual

regional change and transition." America's

autonomy, if not political freedom. So far

"strategy and commitment are long-term and

Beijing's military renewal has been modest,

will continue even after the period of change

and China has been assertive rather than

and transition is complete."6

aggressive--although its saber rattling toward

Taiwan remains of concern.

Southeast Asia is roiled by economic and

Interests, Interests

political instability, but such problems threat-

Everywhere

en no one outside the immediate neighbor-

hood. Only North Korea constitutes a current

East Asian security threat, but that totalitarian

DOD's security strategy report envisions

state, though odious, is no replacement for the

an American security interest in virtually every

threat once posed by the Soviet Union.

East Asian country.

Pyongyang is bankrupt and starving, essential-

Australia

ly friendless, and, despite its willingness to

Despite the dra-

wave the threat of an atomic bomb to gain

Opines the Clinton administration, "The

matic diminution

respect, will only fall further behind its South

U.S.-Australia alliance remains as close as any

Korean rival.

alliance we maintain in the region."7

in security threats,

Some analysts privately, and a few publicly,

Combined military training and exercises are

U.S. policy looks

believe that Japan poses a potential threat to

backed by the Australia Ministerial agreement,

very much like it

regional peace. Such fears are unwarranted.

which provides for regular visits by the U.S.

Tokyo has gained through peace all of the

secretaries of defense and state. Washington

did during the

influence and wealth that it had hoped to

"envisions continued expansion and deepen-

Cold War.

attain 60 years ago through war and the

ing of the U.S.-Australia alliance over the com-

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

ing years."8 This is an alliance "not just for this

Moreover, the lesson of World War II remains

time, it is for all time," President Clinton told

the Australian parliament.9

vivid in Japan. In recent years the nation has

been convulsed by divisive political debates

Cambodia

over such modest initiatives as sending med-

ical personnel to the Gulf War, providing

Washington uses money as well as troops

troops to the U.N. peacekeeping operation in

for security purposes in East Asia. The United

Cambodia, and authorizing military partici-

States has provided security aid to Cambodia,

pation in civilian rescues. Even mainstream

though the funds have been suspended since

politicians committed to a somewhat more

mid-1997 because of Prime Minister Hun

assertive posture have routinely sacrificed mil-

Sen's de facto coup d'état. Of course, DOD is

itary spending to budget concerns. Those are

disappointed at the lack of contact. As it

hardly the actions of a society flirting with a

explains,

new round of military conquest.

So far, neither the Clinton administration

Prior to suspension of U.S. military

nor Congress seems to have noticed those crit-

assistance, the United States has

ical changes. Despite the dramatic diminution

stressed the importance of compre-

in security threats and the equally dramatic

hensively reforming the RCAF [Royal

growth in allied capabilities, U.S. policy looks

Cambodian Armed Forces], including

very much like it did during the Cold War.

reducing the number of troops,

Washington's motto seems to be, "What has

instilling and sustaining discipline,

ever been, must ever be."

providing consistent pay to the mili-

Indeed, the Clinton administration repeat-

tary, and eliminating corruption. U.S.

edly emphasizes its allegiance to the status

military assistance to Cambodia fea-

3