The concept of strategic geometry comprises the notion that that the interactions and interconnections between a number of political actors within a particular system of international relations, either global or regional can be seen in terms of geometric patterns of strategic configurations. It can be a case of simple geometry, in which A interacts with B: but in a more complex system such as that of Asia, with the presence of more than one major actor, each with their distinct, sometimes conflicting political agendas, the interaction between A and B will be likely to affect C or influenced by C.

The concept of an international ‘system’ itself implies that events are not random, and units within the system are interrelated in some patterned way. This ‘patterning’ maybe envisaged or conceptualized as patterns of strategic geometry.

Any attempt to analyze the transition from a Cold War system of international relations to a pos

The tenets of the post Cold War system seem to be the predominance of economic considerations, national welfare and stability. Mandlebaum expresses his view of the transition from a Cold War to a post Cold War system, when he states: "nations, including those in East Asia, crossed into a world in which they had more to bear from dangers than enemies....dangers of political, economic, and ecological disorder...the primary stakes ceased to be security, but welfare...no longer war and peace, but the vitality of societies and the dynamism of economies."

Relations with Japan is the most important bilateral relation Beijing has, after that with Washington. "PRC leaders see an intimate connection between their policies towards Washington and Tokyo. From Beijing’s perspective there is a ‘strategic triangle’ in Asia (US, Japan and China) and it is Beijing’s purpose to utilize that three way relationship to its advantage." Beijing seeks to use the prospect of improved political and economic ties with Japan to induce Washington to be more politically cooperative, relax sanctions and encourage more American investment. On the other hand, "Japan is the principal economic and security challenge looming in China’s future." Despite greater bilateralism between Japan and China based on the economic stakes and increasing volume of trade, China still harbors a fear of Japanese economic domination and a deep distrust in general. America’s capital, willingness to transfer technology and ability to restrain Japan all serve China’s interests. The disappearance of the Soviet threat has undermined the stability of the US-Japanese partnership, hence the distance between Japan and US has meant that China has become all the more important to Washington. A closer security relationship between US and China would further diminish the strategic importance of Japan to the US. At the same time "China looms all the more important for Japan as US interest, presence and influence in Asia seem to diminish." This means America’s differences with China over human rights issues could also drive a wedge between US-Japan relations, since Japan would not join the US in imposing trade sanctions on China, owing to its own bilateral stakes. However, "in the long run Japan’s ability to counter the geopolitical challenge from China depends on maintaining a robust alliance with the US." Furthermore, in the post Cold War era, the island of Taiwan is reshaping politics of the Quadrangle, adding another dimension to the US-Japan-China triangle, since the US’s ideological proclivities towards Taiwan are in opposition to Japan’s economic proclivities towards the mainland. According to Peter Hayes, North East Asia is overlaid by twin informal strategic triangles: the US "has linked China and Japan in an informal security triangle, and the common hypotenuse between this great power triangle on the one hand, and the informal security triangle among South Korea, US and Japan on the other."

A major feature of the transition form a Cold War system to a post Cold War system is the reversal in roles of the major powers. China has basically become a status-quo power, the United States has become something of a revolutionary state, seeking to transform the others and mould them in its own image ( exemplified by the stress on democracy, economic liberalization, human rights ).

An analysis of the US-Japan-China, an old triangle with new content illustrates many features of the transition from the Cold War to the post Cold War system of international relations. During the Cold War "both Tokyo and Washington developed their China policies in part to thwart Moscow’s designs towards China and Asia." The US and China no longer act together to balance Soviet power; the US-Japan alliance no longer serves as a weight against balancing the power of both China and the Soviet Union; and Japan and China do not architect their relationship in light of US policies. The US-J

Some topics in this essay:
Cold War, Soviet Union, Japan China, East Asia, South Korea, RELATIONS ASIA, cold war, Sino-Soviet-North Korean, Cold War--Japan, Japan Russia, China Japan, post cold, post cold war, strategic geometry, international relations, soviet union, war era, war post cold, war post, cold war post, cold war era, cold war system, war system, east asia, transition cold,