Towards comprehensive-cooperative security in the Asia-Pacific

Changes in the Asian strategic landscape and the growth in multilateralism necessitate a re-examination of Asia-Pacific security. The concept "comprehensive-cooperative security" is premised not only on the growing salience in interpreting security in comprehensive terms---combining the economic, military, and political dimensions---but also the emergence of a gradual shift from bilateral to multilateral security cooperation. This study analyzes the development of Asia-Pacific security by initially providing a theoretical framework on contemporary security studies, followed by an assessment of the region's economic, military, and political dynamics. Then the examinations of four major Asia-Pacific powers indicate how regional strategic developments have influenced their conceptions and approaches to security. The study concludes with a discussion whether comprehensive-cooperative security is on the Asia-Pacific's horizon.