January-February 1997
East Asia's Arm's Races
By Michael Klare
With the end of the Cold War and the general relaxation of military tensions in many areas of the world, global military spending has undergone a significant decrease-falling from a peak of $1.3 trillion in 1987 to $840 billion in 1994, the last year for which there are reliable figures. Most observers believe the downward trend continues
In only one region of the world-East Asia-has there been a significant rise in military expenditures since the end of the Cold War. According to the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, military spending in East Asia-expressed in constant 1994 dollars-has risen from an average of $126 billion per year in the 1984 88 period to $142 billion annually in 1992 94. http://www.thebulletin.org/issues/1997/jf97/jf97introklare.html
East Asia's militaries muscle up
By Michael Klare
Throughout East Asia, countries are spending more on their military forces, making this the only region in the world where military expenditures have been rising since the end of the Cold War. That these expenditures are rising has been often commented on in the West-but without significant analysis of how these added funds are being spent. Such an analysis is essential, however, if we are to appreciate the long-term implications for regional and international security of Asia's military buildup. http://www.thebulletin.org/issues/1997/jf97/jf97klare.html