Regional destabilization

From the campaign circus leading up to May 10, to the frenzy of voting on Election Day, to the post-election euphoria and now the continuing circus in the Halls of Power the natural inclination for all of us has been to focus almost solely on domestic issues. That is today. They say that all politics is local. In the context of regional and international politics (especially in a country facing as many domestic issues as we do) this holds true. However, with the increasing destabilization of the region, the incoming administration needs to reevaluate our foreign policy stance, and our place in the Asian hierarchy of the Western world’s allies. Chief among the objectives of the new administration should be studying our existing foreign policies and strengthening our foreign service.

Thailand, a nation that was, by appearances, a stable democracy just a few short years ago has erupted into, what can be generously termed, chaos. Reports indicate that 88 people have been killed so far, mostly Red Shirts. News broke a few days ago that an arrest warrant for former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has been issued, on charges of fomenting terrorism. Thaksin is regarded as a hero for the Red Shirts (urban and rural poor). Their grievances center on allegations that the current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power because of illegal deal-making with military forces. There have been discussions of having elections in November, but Abhisit has said while there is violence, there will be no elections.

The tensions between North Korea and South Korea are threatening to finally boil over. Recently, Pyongyang (North Korea’s capital) decided to sever ties with South Korea. In the last twenty or so years the two nations have tried to establish more cordial relations. About a month ago, the South Korean ship Cheonan sunk, taking forty-six sailors to their death. Ostensibly, it appears that the decision to sever ties was over the South Korean (and international community) allegation that the Cheonan was torpedoed by North Korea. At the moment though, it seems that everyone is tiptoeing around North Korea, unsure exactly what their goals are in this recent “crisis”.

In Japan, the United States was almost forced to revisit their long-standing agreement to have a base in Okinawa. For Filipinos this is shades of our recent past. However, as was reported, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced that the Okinawa base will remain on the island. This, in turn, angered Okinawans who have been protesting the continued presence of the US base. Instead of removing the base, the original agreement between Japan and the US from 2006, will be followed. This calls for moving the base to a less populated area on the Island. Understandably, this has angered Okinawans who Hatoyama promised he would remove the base. Japan is entering their election cycle soon in July.

The Philippines then, as a stable democracy, increases in importance in Asia. We forget, but the Philippines is Asia’s oldest democracy; whether reckoned from the American Era or the end of the 19th century. In the past we have taken a firmer and more active role in terms of the Asian community on behalf of the Filipino people. For example, we were highly involved (one of the founders) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Philippine foreign policy was a little discussed policy point during the campaign season, but it is a major part of the president’s job. Reconsideration of our foreign policy objectives and new thought on how to chart our own path is needed.

The importance of Asia to the Western World has been borne out by the number of visits by high-ranking US State Department visits to the region. As Asia, economically and politically, rises in importance over the next few years the Philippines must maintain an equal footing with the rest of the region.