Humanitarian intervention & peacekeeping as issues for Asia-Pacific security

This paper examines trends in humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping in the Asia-Pacific in the light of the increasing emphasis on these issues at the global level. Particular attention is given to the position adopted by the major Asia-Pacific powers (China, Japan, the United States), ASEAN an...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: McDougall, Derek
Other Authors: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Format: Working Paper
Published: 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/79835
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/4419
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
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Summary:This paper examines trends in humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping in the Asia-Pacific in the light of the increasing emphasis on these issues at the global level. Particular attention is given to the position adopted by the major Asia-Pacific powers (China, Japan, the United States), ASEAN and Australia. The involvement of the United Nations and non-state actors is also considered. Cambodia and East Timor provide examples of the way in which the various factors affecting humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping in the Asia-Pacific are relevant in particular situations. Apart from power considerations, commitment to democratic values is an important factor affecting policies adopted towards humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping. While most Asia-Pacific states adopt a cautious approach to this general issue, it is likely to be a continuing concern in the future, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. This concern lead to various forms of external involvement but not necessarily full-scale intervention.