Asian perceptions of bmd: Defence or disequilibrium?

As geopolitical competition between the United States and China intensifies, East Asian policy-makers are apprehensive about the Bush Administration's plans to develop ballistic mis¬sile defence (BMD). Missile defence threatens to undermine other fundamental assumptions about nuclear weapons poli-tics and arms control. This article argues that, if not carefully managed, BMD could undermine Washington's extended deter¬rence commitments to its regional friends and allies. Initially, a brief summary of developments leading to Asian concerns about missile defence will be offered. How BMD may affect Washington's extended deterrence strategy in the region will be reviewed. Southeast Asia is emphasized here because this sub¬region has been largely ignored in previous analyses of BMD's impact on Asia-Pacific stability. The article concludes by offer¬ing two policy recommendations regarding the applicability of BMD to ASEAN's security environment.