how Southeast Asia has historically functioned both as a shatterbelt and a buffer zone.

Answer 1

Hello Leiya P.,

Southeast Asia is considered both a shatterrbelt and a buffer zone because of the competing powers over the South China Sea primarily and also Taiwan. China and Japan are also constantly fighting over Taiwan, which has at various times belonged to China and Japan. Also in terms of geography, Southeast Asia is close to the Ring of Fire which is the most volatile and active set of tectonic plates on the globe. There are also tensions over Thailand and Burma or Myanmar. Many Burmese flee to Thailand for jobs and opportunities. Thailand and Vietnam also fight over rice. Southeast Asia is very tropical and moist with monsoons and heavy rainy seasons. The Dutch and other European powers have also been known to have colonized Southeast Asia for the spices that are produced. 

I hope I answered your question satisfactorily.