This combination of vulnerability and integration could have only occurred in a security environment in which an external power forced everyone to play nice. Yet even with American overwatch, East Asia never developed a regional system of cooperation, or even diplomatic pressure release valves that fall short of military exchange. China hates Japan, Japan (perhaps now subconsciously) wants to colonize Korea and parts of China, Taiwan wants a nuclear deterrent, and the South Koreans trust no bitch.
