Secretary Clinton's Visit to Asia: U.S. Taking a More Active Role in Asia?

Secretary Clinton's Visit to Asia: U.S. Taking a More Active Role in Asia?

• In a trip which will begin Feb 15, Secretary of State Clinton will visit China, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea with a focus on North Korea's nuclear ambitions, clamping down on terrorism and forging a broader relationship with China (in recent years the expanded relationship has been led by Treasury and focused on economic issues)
• CSIS: the fact that Hillary Clinton is making Asia her first stop is very important in signaling to the region U.S. commitment and in focusing the State Department and the U.S. government on the challenges and opportunities there. Secretary Clinton goes out to Asia with an environment that is favorably disposed to the United States in general but the U.S. has to be very careful about not having a heavy-handed approach
• Clinton: America's capacity to help solve the world's major challenges - from the financial crisis to terrorism to climate change - depends on decisions being made in Asia. (via VOA)
  
• U.S. influence was widely thought to have waned during the Bush administration in the face of a shifting balance of power yet the Bush administration successfully brokered a landmark nuclear deal with India towards the end of its term even as attention was largely off the region. hugely neglected.(FA)
• The following countries/regions will be key priorities of the administration - Security concerns in South Asia (Afghanistan/Pakistan) and in the middle east will dominate. But forging and strengthening key relationships with allies in East Asia will be important to respond to global threats.

• Pakistan - The U.S. and Pakistan share numerous common interests but fundamental differences between their thinking on counter terrorism threatens could eventually lead to a hostile relationship. particularly as Pakistani actions may undermine the relationship with India and US efforts in Afghanistan. the U.S. needs more robust diplomacy to reduce regional tensions that fuel support for radical ideologies and terrorism.(Brookings) Holbrooke has been appointed special envoy to Pakistan/Afghanistan

China - The biggest challenge for the US and its new president is China. The countries have many differences ranging from trade imbalances to independence protests in Tibet (AT)However China's involvement is needed to solve many of the most pressing global issues like climate change, the financial crisis and nuclear proliferation in countries like North Korea and Iran

India - landmark civil nuclear deal with India passed in 2008 intended to bring New Delhi and Washington much closer together.

Japan - A future U.S. shift toward greater diplomacy also could place additional tension on the alliance if Japan were expected to do more. At the same time, many Japanese fear that a Democratic administration would move closer to China, and would perceive and deal with trade irritants in a way that could raise tensions between the United States and Japan.(Brookings)

North Korea - Presidential candidates have responded to changing circumstances in the U.S.-North Korea relationship with caution, and advise sanctions to be kept in place if North Korea fails to meet its obligations under the Six-Party Agreement. Obama has expressed support for engagement (WSJ)

Afghanistan - Obama emphasized the idea of deploying more troops to Afghanistan to help the embattled country surmount its present stabilization challenges.The United States needs to undertake a hard-headed reassessment of the political realities in Afghanistan and address local concerns(Eurasia)