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Since the end of the Cold War, there has been numerous attempts to explain the ?new world order?. In the aftermath, of September 11, 2001 these attempts have only intensified. This paper is an attempt to rethink the North-South paradigm as an analytical tool to comprehend the emerging security scenario in South and East Asia. South and East Asia have traditionally represented separate fields in terms of area studies. This paper makes an attempt to create linkages between the two regions in terms of security issues. Then it attempts to segregate states at two levels using Robert Cooper?s paradigm on the ?condition of the world?. The first level is of the ?pre-state, post imperial chaos states?, where monopoly over the use of force by the state machinery is under challenge by various sectarian forces and other non-state actors. The next level is of ?modern states?, where the classical state system remains intact and states retain both the monopoly of force and are prepared to use it against each other. Finally, the essay makes a case for a third level of ?post-modern states? in the region. This level represents a trans-national order, in practice among certain states of the North, based on mutual security, transparency and law. The paper argues that North-South divide by itself does not provide a strong analytical framework for the emerging security challenges in the region. It has to be complemented by an analysis that takes into account, the level of development or breakdown, of the state machinery in various states of the south and consequent relations among states in a regional context. ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]