From introduction: "The year 2005 began with a series of attempts for a strategie new modelling in East Asia. The US President George Bush has been well into his second term and started to shape up a new regional strategie environment. In the light of the incessant Iraqi as well as the North Korean issue, at this moment the US obviously need to make a more diplomatic effort rather than rely purely on the military superiority in intemational affairs. This was clearly highlighted by the new Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, at her eonfirmation hearing at the Senate on 18 January, 2005. She indicated: “we must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power in the world that favors freedom. And the time for diplomacy is now.”"(...)