This year’s annual Shangri-La Dialogue, sponsored by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, was held May 30-June 1 and featured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as its keynote speaker. Perhaps not surprisingly, the summit highlighted discussions on conflict management, military-to-military cooperation, and, perhaps most noteworthy, the United States’ contribution to regional stability.

All of this comes after almost a month of tension between China and Vietnam when the former relocated one of its oil rigs inside Vietnam’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone. A series of anti-China protests and riots seized Vietnam days after, resulting in the deaths of at least two Chinese citizens and forcing an exodus of thousands more, including many Taiwanese workers caught in the crossfire, forcing Hanoi to step in and quash further demonstrations.

This incident is but another chapter in the long-running South China Sea maritime and territorial disputes, itself one of many conflicts in Asia-Pacific.

On November 23, China imposed an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, over the East China Sea, which included the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands claimed by both Japan and China. The move was immediately condemned by Japan and the United States, with the latter dispatching a pair of unarmed B-52 bombers over the disputed islands, advertised as part of a planned exercise but undoubtedly a challenge to China’s assertions.

For Japan and Prime Minister Abe, the Shangri-La Dialogue provided an opportunity to engage attending state representatives on the risks posed by such disputes. Abe used his keynote address to promote his country’s desire to play a greater role in regional security cooperation.

"Japan will offer its utmost support for the efforts of the countries of Asean as they work to ensure the security of the seas and the skies," Abe said, a clear reference to recent Chinese moves.

China’s representative at the dialogue countered that Japan – not China – was "worrying for the region" because it promoted the "myth" that China was "posing a threat to Japan."

It will, of course, be up to Abe to assuage fears and convince his opponents in government and allies throughout Asia-Pacific to embrace his vision of a proactive Japan. In a region where memories are long, and where Japan’s actions and crimes during the World War Two have not been forgotten, Abe will have much work ahead of him.

To this end, despite Japanese concerns over its country’s role in any collective defense posture, some sort of security alliance between nations may foster healing and understanding. For these countries, unified in their desire to preserve regional security and stability, collective defense might be required to maintain said stability.

NORAD and NATO

Established and activated at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado, on Sept. 12, 1957, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (originally titled “North American Air Defense”), or NORAD, integrated the air defense operations of the United States and Canada into a joint-military organization responsible for defending and warning against aerospace threats to North America. Although fears of Soviet incursions into North American airspace ended with the conclusion of the Cold War, the bi-national organization remains relevant and active today against potential terrorist threats.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, was formed following World War Two to deter Soviet expansionism but also to prevent those conditions that led to the world war that devastated Europe. To this end, it was hoped that a North American presence, specifically the United States, in Europe, and European integration would deter nationalist militarism. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed on April 4, 1949, and continues to this day.

Specific to Europe are the various military initiatives of the European Union, such as Eurofor, Eurocorps, and the European Gendarmerie Force, among others. Although each initiative differs in terms of role and military composition from member states (from bi-national to multinational initiatives), they nevertheless serve to safeguard the EU.

However, not all defense alliances have succeeded. Perhaps most pertinent (and rather unfortunate) for countries in Asia-Pacific is the story of SEATO.

The Southeast Asian Treaty Organization was formed along similar lines as NATO on Sept. 8, 1957, with the signing of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, or Manila Pact. It was largely an American creation and lacked the language found in NATO (especially Article 5, which declared an attack against one treaty member was an attack against all treaty members), as well as organizational support and command structure necessary. Consequently, SEATO expired on June 30, 1977.

SEATO’s failure should not discourage further attempts at collective defense in Asia-Pacific, never mind Southeast Asia. Lessons have been learned, and, if nothing else, today, there still exists a need for unity in the face of shared concerns.

The importance of collective defense cannot be understated. More than just strength in numbers, increased military-to-military cooperation allows for greater transparency between state leaders and their governments, and reduces the potential of any misunderstanding that could spiral into an unnecessary conflict.

NORAD, NATO, and the many European Union military initiatives were born from a need to address a specific threat or concern. These are not the templates from which any future collective defense organization in Asia-Pacific should borrow, but they may be used as inspiration for what can happen when state leaders work together.

Khanh Vu Duc is a lawyer and part-time law professor at the University of Ottawa. Duvien Tran is a special research associate at VDK Law Office in Ottawa.

Reposted from Asia Sentinel