“Cold War" ended with a new world map. Emergence of new nations indicated new world order. Alliances of WARSAW became ineffective against NATO. Russia signed number of treaties with NATO alliance for multiple co-operations. After the World War 11 the economic growth slowly moved from Europe to Asian continent. The economic growth and human development indicators are reflecting the national capabilities. With the economic development the Asian countries are also been integrated with its military power. These emerging military developments are creating a balance of war capabilities among the world power. The holdings of nuclear armaments are to indicate its destructive potentials.
Since beginning of the civilization world witnessed number of destructive wars. All these wars were designed sometimes for community leadership, sometimes for extending of mighty empires, sometimes for the religious expansionism and sometimes can be said to retain individual power. Considering the capabilities and strategic locations alliances was chosen between the countries during different periods.
The industrial revolutions started during 18th and 19th century. British, Dutch, Spanish and the Portuguese mostly came to Asia from Europe and established foothold through trade. Slowly tiie colonization allowed the empires to collect wealth from Asian subcontinent. This wealth was invested in diversity to develop Europe. The German, Italy, Britain, Ottoman and Greeks empires also expanded towards Africa, Europe and part of Asia. Japan expanded within Asian countries. Thousands of war was fought for all these empyreal expansion. Unaccounted people died, wounded or displaced during this period throughout the world. How much all these wars were demanded by the society or the people never been assessed or been considered. The social scientist, researcher, writers and humanitarian activists has written thousands of articles, books and produces documents, movies and also published thesis taking even lifetime, but yet to influence on its inhuman suffering and disastrous after effects on the society, culture and humanity. The peoples of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are continuing with the terrific effects of 2nd world war till now.
With the collapse of Soviet Empire during 1990s the effect of Cold War has reduced. 1he world witnessed a new world order. A by-polar world moved towards a multi-polar scenario. Tension was reduced within the society, races and ideological differences. Other than Afghan war, few isolated conflicts were observed within the region mainly on the territorial disputes. In the recent year "The Indo-Pacific" a large and diverse region is getting involved with the multiple dimensional conflicts. The growing geopolitical rivalries within Palestine-Israel, India-China are leading towards severe impacts on the society, economy, security and climate changes. The rapid military advancement among the key players with nuclear modernization is becoming challenges to the regional security and socio-political structure.
After the 1st and 2nd world war the European nations realized their economic suffering and social disorder. They attempted to integrate the European Economy and prevent future conflicts. The European Union was created by "Maastricht Treaty" during 1993 with 28 member countries. The European Union is founded on basis of representative democracy. The aim of this union is to "promote peace, values and the well-being of the citizen". It offers freedom, security and justice without internal borders. It is design to established internal markets; achieve sustainable development based on balanced economy and social progress. The African Union was founded during 2002. It is a continental organization with 55 member states. The aims of the African Union
are to promote greater unity, territorial integrity, defend democratic principles, cooperation among member states, tackling common challenges and good governess issues. The union is having a wide ranging impact on continental peace, security and economic development.
There are 36 nations in the Indo-Pacific region. It extended through the west coast of United States to the west coast of India. More than 50% populations of the world are living in the region. Last few decades the region is also witnessing the first growing economic development. Countries could successfully create own brand for national identity. Presently Asian countries are having markets superiority almost all over the world. But unfortunately most of the Asian countries are facing threat from neighbors, regional powers and international players. Defence developments are becoming a competition within nations. Land and sea border conflicts are increasing with social differences. Distrust among the regional and sub-regional countries is at the highest. Many conflicts including wars were fought even recent time. Sometime these conflicts are ideological, sometime religious, and sometime political. Most of the time the conflict or war was sponsored by the external powers for their regional or global supremacy.
During recent time Indo-Pacific region is becoming a new area of conflict due to its strategic importance. It is a rising economy, has marine resources and also having major sea route access. This sea route accesses is used for commercial and military transportation. Presently the conflicts of interests are seen between the allies of United States and China for domination. Both the power is grouping their allies for strengthening own position depending countries location and values. The Chinese military developments are somehow worrying the global interests in the Indo- Pacific region. In the recent year India is also emerging as a factor in the region. Its strategic location, diplomatic success, economic advancement, defence articulation has focused India in the world races. Indian Looking East policy has integrated the regional framework. The growing trade, investment and energy in the region is becoming interdependence and drawing international attention to the Indian Ocean region.
The US involvement in the Asia-Pacific is due to its increasing geo-political influence. The expansion of Chinese military influence in the Pacific region has threatened the balance of power. The US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" has been designed to include India, Japan and Australia to respond to the security threats through partnerships. South China Sea is bridging the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese military presence in the South China Sea is threading the security of the Indo-Pacific region. This area connects Asia, Africa, Australia and America. As a global economic center 2/3rd of the global economic output is from this region. The economically dynamic countries, like India, China, Japan, Australia, S. Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia are included in this region. The significant portion of the world maritime trade passes through the Strait of Malacca. The important ports are located in the Indo-Pacific region to facilitating trade between Asia. Europe, and Africa. (To be continued)
The writer is Chairman, Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies
