Security cooperation through joint military exercises in the Asia pacific region’ effectiveness, meanings, and implications of regionalism

Abstract

Joint military exercises (JMEXs) are often regarded as an afterthought in management of security arrangements or interstate relations. However, this paper argues that studying the utilities of JMEXs is increasingly crucial, considering rapid power shifts and alterations in the type of security threats. As such, the different utilities of JMEXs are first examined and properly catalogued. Thereafter, utilizing this framework, the second part of the paper examined how Thailand and Philippines, allies of the United States, utilises JMEXs in its conduct of international affairs from the period of 2008-2017. A dataset detailing JMEXs conducted was created to provide facilitate such endeavors. In short, this paper found that JMEXs is multi-faceted and can be expertly utilised as a diplomatic tool to manage or manipulate fluctuations in interstate relations, especially JMEXs involving major powers. Such findings provide policymakers will another mechanism to forecast, manage and handle interstate relations.