Lack of U.S. focus on East Asia

Lack of U.S. focus on East Asia

Since 9/11 and against the backdrop of the mess in Iraq, the
United States has been less engaged in dealing with the core
geopolitical and geo-economic problems of East Asia.

If anything, its approach toward East Asia has been dominated
by reactive and ad hoc policies. Even more troubling has been the
failure of the Bush administration to develop a coherent strategy
toward China.

Instead, U.S. policy is looking more and more like a set of
confused responses to the pressures coming from a coalition of
protectionists, neoconservative ideologues and China bashers.

It's not surprising, therefore, that the United States is
finding itself more and more marginalized as it faces a more
diplomatically engaged China.

It would be in everyone's interests if America developed a
more coherent strategy toward East Asia as it continues to
promote its agenda in the Middle East.
-- Business Times, Singapore