ABSTRACT
The Southeast Asia subordinate state system encompasses three geopolitical subregions: Indochina, the Mainland States and the Island periphery. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos comprise the Indochina area. Southeast Asia came to be viewed in terms of strategic threats and geopolitical opportunities, of the regional balance of military forces and of other orthodox security matters that had been downplayed during the struggle against France and the United States. Perhaps the most important element coloring Hanoi's perception of China's role in the post-war balance of power in Southeast Asia has been Beijing's relations with Washington. ASEAN, established in 1967 with United States support, began as a political reaction by the non-communist states of Southeast Asia to perceived common threats from Chinese communism. Changes caused the bargainer states to modify their regional postures; including a reevaluation of national interests, recalculation of policy costs and benefits and reconsideration of political allies and opponents.
