Introduction:
Southeast Asia is known as the “bridge” between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It is one of the most important places in the world in terms of geopolitical, economic, strategic, and military aspects. A large part of the world’s economically developing countries are located in this region. Therefore, the political and economic security of the whole world is largely related to the security and stability of this region.
Historical Importance of Southeast Asia:
Historically this area is considered very important. The Italian traveler Marco Polo brought important information about the region to Europe. As a result, Europeans became excited about the region and later colonized it. Powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, British, French, Spanish, and even the United States of America were involved in the conflict in this region based on colonization.
During World War II, the region was attacked by Japan, another superpower of the East, for its importance. During the Cold War, the region became more significant in the mutual conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, and in the post-Cold War period, various problems, especially terrorism, became more important in the region.
Geographical Importance of Southeast Asia:
All Southeast Asian countries except Laos are largely coastal. Due to the easy access to the sea, these countries have been enjoying various advantages from ancient times to the present time because all these states are in an advantageous position in terms of trade, climate, naval power, etc.
Proximity to the sea makes the climate of the state mild and equable and provides special advantages for the extraction of marine resources. New Zealand is investing in forestry development, dairy farming technology, cattle treatment, etc. due to its climatic advantages.
Canada is also assisting in the management of forest seed centers, fisheries technology and scientific harvesting. American geopolitician Nicholas Spykman in his famous book “The Geography of the Peace” talked about the importance of the ‘Rimland’ or marginal land, Southeast Asia belongs to that marginal land.
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Strategic Importance of Southeast Asia:
This region is very important from a geo-strategic point of view. This region is mainly located between East-South Asia and Australia and is considered as a bridge bond between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The economic, political, and military security of the region plays a very important role in establishing rule and control over the Indian Ocean as well as the entire Pacific region.
The connection between India and the Pacific Ocean by the Straits of Malacca not only limited the distance of international sea routes but also opened up a new direction in international trade.
Through this channel, Japan imports 66 percent of its total fuel oil and the United States 40 percent of its fuel oil, and many Western industrialized countries also import oil from the Middle East through the Indian Ocean through this channel.
The Western world and Japan carry 55 percent of their total international trade through these waterways with the oil-rich countries of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Therefore, the economic prosperity and security of the Straits of Malacca and the entire world are largely related to the security of this region. Not only the Straits of Malacca; Rather, the Munda, Lombok, and East Timor Straits are equally important.
The South China Sea’s Spratly Islands make the region’s importance even more significant. This territory consisting of 33 islands spread over 70 thousand square miles has been of great strategic importance in the military and political field of the region.
The archipelago is located at the junction of the South China Sea and the South Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. China sees control of these islands as crucial for its massive fleet to move quickly to the Pacific.
Japan sought to control these islands to secure its oil supplies and to maintain rapid communications with South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. During World War II, these islands were used as a highly strategic area for nuclear warfare. Japan built a strong military base on Itu Aba, the largest island in the eastern part of the archipelago. From this military base, Japan was able to easily control and prevent the movement of Allied submarines.
Currently, all countries, including China, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, have become very active in controlling the entire Spratly Islands to establish political, economic and military control. In the 1960s, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam were involved in disputes over the island and each claimed some territory. Since the 1980s, China and Vietnam have been involved in a dispute over the ownership of these islands.
Japan’s pride:
Japan is considering new naval and military deployments to strengthen its military influence in the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan. If Japan’s efforts to gain military power continue, adversaries such as China and North Korea will try to gain military power equally, which will start a serious arms race in the region and endanger the security system in Asia and the Pacific region in the future.
According to international analysts, Japan has two special elements of military strength in the world today – economic growth and technological development. All that is needed is political will.
So, if the political will is combined with Japan’s huge economy and technology, Japan will become the largest military power in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region in the next decade, which will usher in another new power ring in the current world order. That is why this region has become important to international security experts.
Nuclearization of North Korea:
Currently, North Korea’s possession of a nuclear bomb and strained relations with the United States and South Korea not only pose a threat to peace and security in Southeast Asia but also raise the specter of nuclear war in the region. Socialist North Korea has moved to acquire weapons as a defense against its pro-US neighbors South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia.
In this region, the process of creating two power zones has started again like during the Cold War period. One of which will be the United States and the other China. The United States will build a new structure with South Korea and ASEAN countries.
North Korea fears an attack on itself at any time. As a result, he will also reply. Since China’s anti-US attitude, it has supported North Korea. If this threat turns into a war at any moment, it will trigger a political and economic crisis in the region.
Economic Importance of Southeast Asia:
This region is very significant in the world even if we consider only the economic aspect. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. This region is very important in terms of coal, oil, rubber, rice, etc. The whole world is trying to develop relations with ASEAN.
The world economy is therefore heavily dependent on the economy here. The dire economic crisis that occurred here in 1997-98 had repercussions more or less everywhere in the world. Today, the region is more involved with the global economy. The US, Japan, and Brazil have invested heavily in the region. As a result, they are always worried about this area.
Cultural Significance of Southeast Asia:
The region is culturally diverse. Chinese, Indians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians live in this region. Usually, the same state has many problems due to the multi-ethnic population living there. But the countries here have formed their nation very positively in this direction.
Although Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, people of other religions live very well here. Indonesia has the largest number of dialects (about 712) in the world. It has become a model to the world.
However, ethnic and cultural diversity has also created many problems in the region. Especially we can talk about Indonesia. Since Indonesia has more than 13,000 islands and many of these islands are inhabited by different ethnic groups, the problem of separatism has become evident in many places. East Timor has already separated with its Christian identity. The role of the United Nations and Australia in East Timor has increased the importance of the region.
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Moreover, separatist movements have also played an active role in Aceh, Irian Jaya, and Mindanao in the Philippines and Thailand. They are diminishing the importance of governments. Ethnic and religious conflicts are still evident in the islands of Moluccas, Sulawesi, etc.
Terrorism in Southeast Asia:
Currently, another problem has made this area very significant. That is terrorism. We know that this region is much more open than any other part of the world and, being largely an island nation, the government has very little control over the entire country.
As a result, the problems of international terrorists, mafia gangs, drug smuggling, illegal immigration, pirates, etc. have greatly increased in these regions.
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Jemaah-e-Islami, and Abu Sayyaf extremist groups are based in the region. Governments are ill-equipped to protect their vast maritime borders. International terrorists are using this opportunity. As a result of this, in October 2002, we saw the horrific terrorist attack in Bali, Indonesia.
As a result, many foreigners lost their lives here. As a result, the international community is currently very concerned about this region. If this region is not properly controlled, it will become a haven for international terrorists.
Conclusion:
Southeast Asia has historically been very important. That is why the influence of the Western colonial powers was very high. Even today, the region is important to experts due to terrorism, environmental disasters, nuclear weaponization, etc. The region’s economic prosperity, especially post-ASEAN growth, has helped the region stand tall in the world.