The concept 'Southeast Asia' is often difficult to grasp or handle. This accessibly written study explores the external factors and regional dynamics which are making 'Southeast Asia' a meaningful entity. Among the subjects discussed are: the historical regimes and religoius and ethnic groupings which contribute to the multi-layered identities of the peoples of the area; the patchy history of the "economic growth triangles" of the 1990s; ASEAN and its relevance to security and geopolitical issues; diversities, sensitivities and inflammabilities in religion and ethnicity; Southeast Asia's place in relation to India and China; to US, Australia and Europe; and to Japan and the Middle East; and brinkmanship and the future of Southeast Asia. With bibliography and index.