Groups of smaller countries with common borders often combine forces so that their voices will be heard by more powerful countries. They develop a code of conduct to ensure that they can speak with a single voice while seeking international responses to the needs of their peoples. After recounting the precolonial and colonial histories of Southeast Asian and the islanders of the South Pacific, the development of postcolonial operational codes is traced for both regions, known as the Asian Way and the Pacific Way. While specifying the 6 principles for each regional intergovernmental operational code, examples are provided to demonstrate how they have worked to bring peace to both regions.