[fluffy0000]

pls explain how any force - NATO or otherwise could be a deterrent in SE Asia?

NATO was a deterrent in Europe during the Cold War because the US military
did the heavy lifting ie; ground forces, airforce, and navy backed up with nuclear weapons and delivery systems.
The military doctrine during the Cold War for NATO was to stop a massive soviet armor thrust through the Fulda Gap btween East and West Germany .

A conflict in SE Asia would be completely different and involve control of the sea lanes and oceans with a major emphasis on naval operations.

Your fantasy about any force opposing US hegemony in SE Asia without another superpower also a member of this force is pure fantasy. The US defense budget for 2010 fiscal year totals more than next 2nd,3rd,4th,5th military budgets on the planet combined and then some.