"US pledges nearly US$300 million security funding for Southeast Asia
SINGAPORE: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged on Saturday (Aug 4) to provide nearly US$300 million in new security funding for Southeast Asia.
Pompeo unveiled the figure to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other officials from around the world in Singapore.
"As part of our commitment to advancing regional security in the Indo-Pacific, the United States is excited to announce nearly US$300 million dollars of new funding to reinforce security cooperation throughout the entire region," he said.
"This new security assistance will advance our shared priorities, especially to strengthen maritime security, develop humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping capabilities and enhance programmes that counter transnational threats."
The United States said earlier this week it will invest US$113 million in technology, energy and infrastructure initiatives in emerging Asia which he called "a downpayment on a new era of US economic commitment to the region"."
Such is the development of international power play that the USA has to start devoting time, efforts n money on IndoPacific, focusing on Asean besides India on top of the past allies of Japan n South Korea.
Someone in Washington who, like many strategists of self- n national-interest, r obviously worried or concerned abt the rise of China in this part of the world.
The Chinese side obviously hv similarly minded strategists n hence this distrust n elephant dance that all small nations in this arena hv to watch carefully so as not to be trampled; intentionally or otherwise.
Guessed my idealistic: "why can't we just get along n share whatever resources available to us as one big happy Earth family!" will be laughed n derided at by most of these top strategists n their political leaders!
Anyway, that leaves nation like Sgp m other small nations not much choice but to stay neutral as much as possible n as allowed by whoever the BIG POWER that want to pick a bone with our stand!
One pertinent rule of engagement will be: hv total confidence that Sgp is an independent sovereign state n that we respect n rely on established international laws to keep peace with all nations.
If we get bullied, we will fight back if we can with the backing of the international community; which sometimes can only morally support us n nothing more. In that case, we just hv to suck it up!
Hope we will never hv to be in that position: to fight back at all costs or to suck it up n be around still!
No comments:
Post a Comment