The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia

The South China Sea and U.S.-China Rivalry

“…The clearest and most detailed articulation of the "rebalance" comes in the form of a recent book by a key architect and implementer. 65 However, the administration of Donald J. Trump, since coming into office in January 2017, has been attempting to rethink U.S. policy toward the region. Nevertheless, during its first year in office, the Trump administration was largely preoccupied with events on the Korean Peninsula.…”

“Japan is back”: Autonomy and balancing amidst an unstable China–U.S.–Japan triangle

“…Washington has responded to this growing vulnerability by reducing its military footprint in Northeast Asia and by dispersing American forces across the Asia-Pacific region (Campbell, 2016). China has deployed a wide range of military assets, ballistic and cruise missiles in particular, that put American troops in East Asia at risks.…”

“…China responded by boycotting Japanese goods and by establishing an air defence identification zone over the disputed islands in November 2013 (Campbell, 2016). In an unprecedentedly bellicose move, Beijing retaliated to the detention of the trawler's captain with an embargo on the export of rare earths to Japan.…”

“…China has deployed a wide range of military assets, ballistic and cruise missiles in particular, that put American troops in East Asia at risks. Washington has responded to this growing vulnerability by reducing its military footprint in Northeast Asia and by dispersing American forces across the Asia-Pacific region (Campbell, 2016). This is illustrated by the planned relocation of thousands of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Hawaii, Guam, and Australia.…”

“…Under pressure by rightist elements, Tokyo nationalised three of the five Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in September 2012. China responded by boycotting Japanese goods and by establishing an air defence identification zone over the disputed islands in November 2013 (Campbell, 2016). Moreover, Beijing has since the nationalisation regularly sent vessels and aircraft near the islands to back its territorial claims.…”