Promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

• Author: Sempa, Francis P.

Title: Promoting Peace and Stability in the Asia-Pacific

Author: Francis P. Sempa

Text:

Promoting Peace and Stability in the Asia-Pacific

By Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister of Defense, Singapore

Text:

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2012/apr/05apr12_nr/05apr12_s peech.html

Reviewed by Francis P. Sempa, Contributing Editor

In a recent speech at the Center for a New American Security, Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen called for the development of a "regional security architecture" for the Asia-Pacific region. He emphasized the importance of military-to-military contacts between the regions powers.

Defense Minister Ng noted that the balance of the world's economic and strategic weight has shifted from Europe to the Pacific. The Obama administration, he believes, recognizes this geopolitical fact. The United States has been the "critical force" for peace and stability in the region for fifty years, and most of the region's powers understand the important stabilizing role of America. He urged U.S. statesmen to continue...