Southeast Asian nations have vowed to hold together to bolster their military prowess. Several Asian countries are seeking to create unofficial alliances among themselves to countenance the rising influence of the Islamic State.
Unity against Islamic State
Malaysia, Philippine and Indonesia have agreed to launch joint air patrols this month at their shared borders. The war against the #Islamic state has been stemmed up in earnest as #Southeast Asian nations plan to use drones and war planes to prevent movement of militants across their boundaries, as reported by defense officials.
The US has been left out in the ongoing discussions and possible cooperation that is set to counter Chinese influence. Australia, Japan, Vietnam, and India are part of the negotiation, but are keen not to upset Beijing.
According to Reuters, the region’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had to say this during the inauguration: “In this courageous world we cannot depend on excessive authorities to protect our interests.”
He added on, “We have to take duty for our own safety and success, while knowing that we are stronger when sharing the load of mutual leadership with trusted associates and allies.”
There is growing mistrust with U.S. President #Donald Trump due to his pullout from the Paris climate accord.
Reports by Reuters indicate that regional officials said that there was growing suspicion with the Trump administration, mainly because of his pulling out from the Partnershipic partnership.
Regional officials are wary of Trump’s uncertainty due to his accolades on Chinese President Xi Jinping, just after their first summit in April.
New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia, Britain and Singapore agreed over the weekend to boost the military links as a way of combatting terrorism and establishing maritime security.
The series of kidnappings by Abu Sayaff group, a pro-Islamic state, prompted Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillipines and Indonesia to carry out joint patrols in the Sulu area.
The maritime patrol came into effect since last year.
Iraq and Syria setbacks might have spillover effects to Southeast Asian nations
#Southeast Asian countries have been warned, by security experts, that there countries are the most vulnerable to the spread of Islamic state. Obstructions in Iraq and Syria might have its impact spilled to Southeast Asian nations, as observed by security analysts.
Nigel Inkster of London Institute for Strategic Studies was reported by Reuters as he said, “We are seeing that, as Islamic state is losing ground on the battlefields of the Middle East, they are pushing their authorities overseas as vigorously as they can.”
