John Foster Dulles was also the architect of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) created in 1954. The treaty, signed by representatives of the United States, Australia, Britain, France, New Zealand , Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand, provided for collective action against aggression.

Some countries, including France and Britain, refused to join other SEATO members in the wars that took place in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Pakistan withdrew from SEATO on 7th November 1973. France also left on 30th June 1974. At a meeting in New York in September 1975 it was agreed to bring an end to the organization.