The Need to Face Facts in Asia

Neither the current US administration nor the presidential candidates vying to replace Barack Obama in January 2017, offer specific strategies for handling China’s challenge to the US-led order in Asia. Hugh White, a professor in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at The Australian National University, outlines what is known about US strategy for East Asia Forum: “to take advantage of China’s own assertive behavior to build anxiety about China’s ambitions among its neighbors, and then harness that anxiety to assemble a coalition which will act together diplomatically to compel China to abandon its challenge, leaving the US-led order intact.” White expresses concern that such a strategy may overestimate the resolve of US allies in the region and its own military capabilities while underestimating China’s resolve for status as a great power. An alternative strategy may not be as adept at ensuring prosperity and stability throughout Asia as the current strategy, and he urges regional leaders consider “a new order that maximizes America’s role while minimizing US-China rivalry.” – YaleGlobal