Fomicheva Elena

Thailand and the US new foreign policy strategy in the Asia-Pacific region

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2015, №29, 128-139

 
Annotation: The author proceeds from the assumption that the long standing Thai-American relations especially in defense sphere has always reflected the general state of international relations. Today political scene in the Asia-Pacific region is mainly influenced by the US - China rivalry. Under the new American foreign policy concept of “pivot to the East” the US stresses the importance of Thailand as their defense ally. The Thai position in sight of China’s growing influence in the region is to achieve a profitable balance between the two competing powers. Close relations between Thailand and China cause concern in the American establishment. It is manifested in certain estrangement in mutual Thai-American relations under the pretext of the lack legitimization of the military rule in Thailand after the coup d’etat of 2014. But still it does not seriously endanger Thai-America military alliance.

Keywords: AMERICAN "PIVOT" TO THE EAST ASIA-PACIFIC, THE USA-THAILAND RELATIONS, THAI-AMERICAN MILITARY COOPERATION