SINGAPORE -- Ever since Asian policymakers and analysts began thinking about their part of the world as a collective of nations -- as a "region" -- they have made one thing clear: Asia is a unique place and Europe's experience on this matter just does not apply. That thinking has dominated discussions about security and visitors who use European institutions -- the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or even the European Union -- as examples have been informed that they are not relevant in Asia.
Six months ago, I suggested at a conference in Singapore that Asians might want to study and learn from European mistakes, but even that mild proposal managed to offend some participants. But resistance is softening. Europe is no longer off limits -- and Asia is likely to benefit from this new frame of mind.
Resistance to European analogies has been grounded in history, culture and geopolitics. Asian decision-makers argue that Asian nations are too young -- many were born after World War II -- and their institutions too fragile to focus on the region. For these governments, the first priority has to be nation-building. And as relatively young nations, they are just beginning to enjoy the fruits of sovereignty; it's too early to give it up.