Global Challenges to Development: An Analysis of the Strategic Interest of the United States in South Asia

Abstract

This research intends to rethink the United States Defense Strategy towards South Asia after September 2001 terrorist attack to find out whether it was to combat terrorism as stipulated in US Documents or whether it had and continue to have other intentions. It was hypothesized that, the policy of the US was a complex item comprised of diverse objectives and emotions, although the declared policy was the prevention of terrorism. The method of the research was qualitative, multifaceted and ethnographic. In the process, the researcher made an interaction with the interviewees graded into their coverage and such information were juxtaposed against the documentary data available in relevant statistical analysis and literature review. The latter part of this research presents the relevant interventions and defense action that followed. Most international critics are of opinion that, the intervention in Afghanistan was not intended, only for combating terrorism. Rather, it was a strategic operation by the USA to expand their power in South Asia. Although, there were contradictions between preventing terrorist activities and promoting development simultaneously, this activity was in operation until today. Whenever the US felt that their interests were at risk, US policies became more aggressive. The world in the domain of International Relations is growing towards multi-polarity. The US and other super powers are in competition for power in order to preserve their own hegemonies. Applying currently accepted theories did not explain these complex motives. This research has traced the historical path of its implementation and presented the data that substantiate the hypothesis which indicate to the multiple nature of the intervention into South Asia. Some of the intentions do deem long term. In this way, this research has found that extending the political hegemony of continuing Super Power control in South Asia and, the parallel structural adjustment to capitalism as the world’s economic ideology. This research has found that Political Equality, Social Opportunity, Economic Liberty, Acceptance of Human Rights for Self-advancement and Self-actualization were a part of the undeclared ideological change expected by the US in its broader objectives. This rethinking and reinterpretation of the US defense strategy over South Asia is very much relevant to policy makers of Sri Lanka.