10 - Constructive criticism and Track 2 diplomacy

Summary

Introduction

With the end of the Cold War — a period during which he had established himself as a preeminent and prolific scholar of international reputation on the primary security concerns of that era (strategic nuclear weapons, signals intelligence, missile defence) as well as on Australia's military defence — Desmond Ball's attention shifted towards the Asia-Pacific, where it has largely remained to the present. Ball was quick to realise the importance of establishing regional institutions that could promote security cooperation in the Asian region. Over the course of the last two-plus decades, Ball's efforts as a scholar, policy analyst, advisor to governments and Track 2 diplomat, have had significant impact on the shaping of the institutional architecture of the Asia-Pacific. Indeed, with his abilities to operate simultaneously across academic and policy, and official (Track 1) and unofficial (Track 2) dimensions, Ball has occupied, and continues to occupy, a near unique role in the Australian and broader regional contexts.

This chapter focuses on one aspect of Ball's efforts to advance towards a stable and peaceful Asia-Pacific security environment: that is, his work to initiate and sustain Track 2 regional, multilateral security dialogue mechanisms and institutions to facilitate security cooperation among the states of the region. Particular attention is focused on Ball's central role in the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP), which since its establishment in 1994 has been the only inclusive, region-wide Track 2 security institution with a broad agenda, productive working groups, and a relationship with its official counterpart the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

We organise our reflections on Ball's contributions and achievements regarding CSCAP and its association with regional institutions across three dimensions: institution-builder on national, Track 1, and Track 2 levels; chronicler of regional institutionalisation; and innovator and critic of institutional achievement. Before addressing these dimensions, it is important first to take note of the key premises from which Ball's Asia- Pacific agenda has proceeded, in effect revealing the continuity of thought and principles that have guided his institution building and security architecture agenda.