Strategic Assessment

In recent years, the US administration has announced its intention of adopting a policy of “pivoting” toward East Asia, and this policy has been reflected in a series of military, economic, commercial, and diplomatic initiatives. In this vein, President Barack Obama and senior administration officials have confirmed that the United States seeks to play a leadership role in Asia in the coming years. This article’s main argument is that the drive to allocate resources and attention to other areas, coupled with domestic economic constraints and proven difficulties in implementing its policy in the Middle East, does not necessarily indicate a United States abandonment of the region. On the contrary: in light of a number of basic conditions and major interests that influence American considerations, the United States is expected to continue to play a major role in regional security.