Australian Prime Minister John Howard's remark that Australia would be prepared to launch pre-emptive strikes against terrorists in other countries has predictably stirred a hornet's nest in Southeast Asia. Why did he make a remark which obviously was going to grate on Southeast Asian sensitivities?

One answer is domestic politics. He has been trying to demonstrate to Australians his strong leadership against terrorism, and this has gone down well with the Australian public.

Yet, the remark cannot be dismissed as a mere domestic political ploy. It was probably also meant to be a message to those countries, now or in the future, that might neither do enough to fight terrorists within their borders nor seek external assistance to strengthen their efforts.

It was also likely intended to score points with the United States by showing Australian solidarity with the US in the war against terrorism, especially with America's doctrine of pre-emptive strikes. It is interesting that, in contrast to the reactions from Southeast Asia, the US came out in support of Mr Howard's remarks — with support coming from the White House itself. Although there is no direct evidence for it, it is possible that there is behind-the-scenes coordination between the US and Australia.

It is well known that the US expects its allies to help it carry the burden of international security in their regions. East Timor (Timor-Leste) was a good example of this: Australia carried the bulk of the burden, with the US providing logistic and valuable diplomatic support. Pre-emptive strikes against terrorists do not require large military forces, only small units of special forces with which Australia is well equipped.

Does this mean that such pre-emptive strikes are on the cards soon? Probably not. It should be noted that Howard's comments were qualified carefully: Only if there is no other alternative would pre-emptive action be considered.

After the Bali bombing, Indonesia is taking a firmer stance against terrorists and extremists in Indonesia. It would be foolish to make the domestic position of President Megawati Sukarnoputri more difficult by arousing a nationalist backlash. The Philippines is already cooperating well with the US to deal with the Abu Sayyaf Group, and new deployments of US troops are expected for another exercise with Philippine troops in the south of the country.