ABSTRACT
A foreign policy that is not fully interrelated with domestic policy is self-defeating; conversely, a domestic policy that takes no account of international realities is similarly doomed to failure. The identification, description, and definition of a geographical region may have an important bearing on policy-making and planning for the region's defense and security. Southeast Asia is usually defined as including the five Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, the Indo-Chinese states, and Burma. Unfortunately, no ground rules have yet been clearly prepared and set forth for adoption to guide and ensure the peaceful participation of these countries in strengthening the foundations for Asian and Pacific security. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should be taken as a starting point in the regional quest for security and a more durable peace. The Republic of China (ROC) also occupies an important strategic location with respect to the defense and security of the sea lanes in the Asian/Pacific region.
