China has become an economic force whose influence must be considered not only in Asia but the world. The United States has now re-focused its attention on Asia and the operational environment must be framed to understand the influence China's economy exerts on all relevant countries in South East Asia. This thesis attempts to quantify the second and third order effects of China's economy on the overall operational approach and lines of effort the United States is pursuing as it attempts to re-establish its national influence and protect national interests in Asia. The research examines China's effects on the U.S. economy, U.S. South East Asian allies economies, and the tensions which exist preventing greater cooperation between the U.S. and China as they both attempt to shape economic development in the region. The research finds that the U.S. will be unable to fully realize its desired end state for Asia if China and the U.S. are unable to negotiate a common vision for the future. The U.S. must accept that idealism is relevant early on in shaping operational variables, but that idealism cannot ignore the realities of a mature current operational environment.

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