"Where’s the Asian NATO?" Topic

"The Biden administration has found a receptive ear in Asian capitals for pushing back on China's territorial expansion. It is getting increased buy-in for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue from Japan, as well as from long-wary partners India and Australia, which recently began military exercises together again after a long pause. And the new team is trying to make strides with Japan and South Korea by burying the hatchet on negotiations over the cost of hosting U.S. troops there.

But in the rare moments that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin weren't slammed with meetings, calls, and press conferences in their first overseas visit last week, U.S. officials were wrestling with a more far-reaching question: What should the American alliance structure look like in a continent that houses nearly two-thirds of the world's population and America's biggest strategic rival?…"
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Armand

The Asian NATO (SEATO) was dissolved in 1977 after spending 23 years doing virtually nothing.

Though as the article states the US had other mechanisms in place, of which the SE Asian components were left to whither and die from 1991 on.

Asia is far more complicated than post war western Europe. Even South Korea and Japan have had their relationship deteriorate over last 20 years.

And most SE Asian states prefer neutrality over defence alliances.

The other issue is SE Asian states are even more militarily neutered than western Europe and don't want to aggravate the Chinese too much as they would be unable to defend themselves militarily or more importantly would be hammered economically.

Let's not forget even South Korea which is 12th largest economy on planet and a major Asian military power, cancelled plans for a THAAD air defence system after China started placing economic sanctions on them.

So don't expect puny Thailand or Phillpines or Malaysia or even Indonesia to stand up to the Chinese in any meaningful manner.

I imagine China has most of the locals sufficiently cowed by not so veiled threats, while they simultaneously offer the occasional odd carrot just to keep their leaders off balance.

The Chinese also seem very adept at negotiating financial deals leaving various countries dependent upon them for many of their basic needs (infrastructure) and future investment, and extremely vulnerable to financial pressure, if not outright blackmail.

Yep, many countries have been very adversely affected by their dealings with China, and I suspect that will get worse before things get better, if they ever do.

Even Australia, New Zealand, and various South Pacific islands are falling, or have fallen under their sway.

Thanks!.

Armand

Yes it was called SEATO … but as noted ended in 1977. Some of the SEATO nations saw combat in SE Asia/Vietnam War … link
In many cases they were only token in numbers. But the "ANZACs" which was part of SEATO sent a large number of forces as the war progressed. Plus the ROK, not a member of SEATO but IIRC had at least 1 Div in country at anytime. Both the ANZACs & ROKs saw a lot of action and performed extremely well.