Introduction

This chapter seeks to investigate how the two dimensions of national security and human rights are reflected in US policy towards a number of countries in Asia, which Washington views as valuable to the ongoing anti-terrorist campaign. After the 11 September attacks, the Bush administration came to designate certain states in Asia as front line, or as part of a second front in the struggle against terrorism. The chapter discusses how US officials attempt to order their priorities in the fields of security and human rights, or whether they have found it necessary or appropriate to accord priority to one over the other at all. As the hegemonic state in the global system, the US has manifold resources at its disposal if it decides to give priority to the protection of human rights, including an extensive military- and economic-assistance programme, comprehensive foreign relations, and significant voting power within international financial institutions.