The rapid economic growth in East Asia points to dramatic shifts in the balance of power among those involved in the region—Japan, Korea, China, Russia, and the United States—and potentially momentous consequences for political and security relationships around the world. The transition of power in China, the economic differences between North and South Korea, and the development of nuclearization in North Korea all have serious security implications both in the region and globally.

Rapid growth inevitably yields changes in societal organizations, government policies, political institutions, and national industrial structures. This session will explore the security implications these changes will have on East Asia, the United States, and the world. Discussions will focus on the influence of China’s economic and political power on United States-Japanese and Sino-Japanese relations; Korean economic and political evolution; the robust growth of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam; and the role of regional institutions, such as APEC and ASEAN. Emphasis will be on the impact of United States foreign policy, and the issue of whether the United States should continue to play a role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.