Colleagues: Almost unnoticed in the wake of the traumatic mid-term elections, President Obama is in Asia for an important 4-country visit. Presidents have often sought to escape the turmoil of domestic politics by jaunting off to Europe for a welcome respite with friends and allies. This trip, however, will be anything but routine and relaxing, including as it does important stops in India (today), Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea (note; not China!) to reinforce traditional alliances and kick-start improving relations with emerging powers. Obama also has two critical meetings, the G-20 and APEC economic summits.
Two issues define the agenda for this trip–Providing a boost to the flagging global economy and “containing China”. Of course, there will not be any background papers written directly to the topic of developing a common approach to deal with a more aggressive, ambitious and confident China (did I also say “rich”?). However, this will be the underlying concern as the regional powers move toward informal, but stronger, politico-military ties.
Security will be heavy for this trip, as you have read (did we really deploy 31 naval ships for this visit?), as so much of the President’s time will be spent in Muslim regions–including the country where he spend much of his youth, Indonesia.
I thought you might like to look over a few short comments from experts at the hot new DC think tank, CNAS, and click on to relevant videos/reports should you wish (I do recommend the Robert Kaplan piece on “South Asia’s Geography of Conflict”.)
— Ty
CNAS Expert Commentary on President Obama’s Trip to Asia
Washington, D.C., November 4, 2010 – President Obama’s trip to Asia – India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan – has the potential to reinvigorate U.S.-India relations, cement the U.S.-Indonesia comprehensive partnership and revitalize the U.S.-Japan alliance, according to experts at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The CNAS Asia-Pacific Security Program provides top analysis on this critical region; see below for expert commentary and resources.
President Obama’s Trip to Asia:
“The President’s most important international trip is occurring when his political fortunes have fallen to their lowest ebb. The President knows that his administration’s future ultimately rests on addressing domestic issues, especially jobs and economic opportunity. But the road to economic recovery runs through Asia. And what happens at the G-20 meeting in Korea and the APEC summit in Japan matters. Potentially at stake is the fate of the open, rule-based global order that the United States, along with allies like Japan, has labored to build over the decades.” –CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security program Patrick Cronin
“The countries that the President will visit on his trip to Asia – India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan – all face the same challenge: managing the rise of China. This trip is crucial because one of the ways that America quietly competes with China is by showing up in the region frequently. The best effect thus far of the appointment of special envoys to Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan and Pakistan is that it has allowed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama to concentrate more on Asia, which constitutes the primary strategic challenge in a post-Iraq, post-Afghanistan world.” -CNAS Senior Fellow Robert Kaplan
U.S.-India Relations:
“President Barack Obama’s trip to India provides an opportunity to rejuvenate a relationship that many fear has plateaued. With past projects incomplete and a full plate of pressing issues in both capitals, there has been a sense among many observers that the relationship is falling short of its promise. The President’s visit can revitalize the U.S.-India partnership by articulating a broad and ambitious agenda of joint efforts, including changes in trade policy, export controls, and America’s position on Indian membership in the UN Security Council. But the relationship is a two-way street, and India will need to make a series of commitments and policy changes of its own. Looming over the visit is the matter of India’s nuclear liability law. The U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement is the cornerstone of the transformed bilateral relationship, and full implementation of that agreement is critical. This will require resolving differences over the new law so that nuclear trade can commence.” –CNAS Senior Fellow Richard Fontaine
U.S.-Indonesia Relations:
“Given President Obama’s personal history in Indonesia and President Yudhoyono’s interest in building relations with the United States, the visit to Indonesia is a historic opportunity to inaugurate a new era in America’s relationship with this important rising power. As a democratic country with a robust economy and the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia will be vital to promoting American interests in stability, prosperity, and improving America’s relations with the Muslim world. By signing a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement, President Obama can initiate a broad swath of efforts to upgrade cooperation on economics, security, promoting democracy, and addressing climate change.” –CNAS Fellow Abraham Denmark
U.S.-Japan Relations:
“It is when unpredictable states like North Korea fire weapons as part of their diplomacy and reemerging great powers like China declare entire seas as their core interest and threaten to cutoff vital resources, that the region focuses on the stabilizing benefits of America’s alliances. The U.S.-Japan alliance is truly a regional public good, and President Obama and Prime Minister Kan appear poised to fully tap its potential, both for traditional security issues as well as for emerging issues like sustainable economic growth and clean energy.” –CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security program Patrick Cronin
Transcripts:
- Event Transcript: Natural Allies: A Blueprint for the Future of U.S.-India Relations, a discussion featuring report authors Richard Armitage, R. Nicholas Burns and Richard Fontaine.
Videos:
- Event Video: “Natural Allies: A Blueprint for the Future of U.S.-India Relations,” a discussion featuring report authors Richard Armitage, R. Nicholas Burns and Richard Fontaine.
- CNAS Exclusive Interview: U.S.-India relations with Richard Fontaine.
- CNAS Exclusive Interview: South Asia’s Geography of Conflict with Robert Kaplan.
REPORTS AND BOOKS
- Natural Allies: A Blueprint for the Future of U.S.-India Relations by Richard Armitage, R. Nicholas Burns and Richard Fontaine