SINGAPORE -- The victory of the United States over the Saddam Hussein regime was hardly an unexpected outcome. What remains really uncertain now is how the U.S. will use its postwar clout to create and manage international and regional order. The U.S. approach will shape the stability of Asia.
As is the case in all major wars, the Iraq war is having a mixed impact on international and Asian security. On the positive side, it has prompted North Korea to shift from brinkmanship to diplomacy. This is a welcome development for the rest of the region.
On the other hand, the war has consequences that, if unchecked, could be destabilizing. First, it strengthens preemption as a strategic doctrine. It adds weight to the case made by some Japanese officials for preemptive strikes against North Korea should the latter threaten Japanese security.