The Biden administration released its Indo-Pacific strategy on Friday that calls for the US to increase its presence in Southeast Asia as part of the effort to counter China in the region.
The strategy emphasizes boosting alliances and partnerships in the region. It says the US will open new embassies and consulates in Southeast Asia and in the Pacific islands, increase the US Coast Guard’s presence in the region, and refocus military assistance to the Indo-Pacific.
The strategy says that through the new AUKUS military pact, the US will “will identify the optimal pathway to deliver nuclear-powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest achievable date.”
The US plans to strengthen cooperation with the Quad, the informal alliance that consists of the US, India, Japan, and Australia. In recent years, the US has strengthened military ties with India, and the strategy calls for the US to support India’s “continued rise.”
The strategy was released as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is touring the region. On Friday, Blinken met with other Quad officials in Australia, and he is due to meet with officials in Fiji Saturday.
During his trip, Blinken is reassuring regional allies that the Asia “pivot” is still on even though the US is bolstering forces in Europe amid heightened tensions with Ukraine. While much of the recent focus has been on Russia, the US has significantly increased its military presence in the South China Sea and other near China since President Biden came into office.
It seems to me that Biden & Co. are very, very busy between “pivoting” and increasing presences here, there and everywhere… Almost feels like a global war footing to me…
It appears all balls are out being moved about again: here, there and everywhere…
“Say it ain’t so Joe…
I feel like having some very good Russian Vodka and some excellent Chinese takeout!
The new US Indo-Pacific Strategy is a lot of sweet talk, the whimperings of a dying power.
In the miiltary/naval field the only specific action is: “We will expand U.S. Coast Guard presence and cooperation in Southeast and South Asia and the Pacific Islands, with a focus on advising, training, deployment, and capacity-building.” (p. 15)
You go, Coast Guard! Defend the US against that nasty China!
There is still a wishy-washy stance on Taiwan
2021 Actions . .here (p.7)
“. . .a strategy of . . .defending the first-island-chain nations, including Taiwan”
2022 Actions
“…The United States will defend our interests, deter military aggression against our own country and our allies and partners—including across the Taiwan Strait” (p.15)
.. . [deter: (1) discourage (someone) from doing something, (2) prevent the occurrence of]
Blinken had a meeting with South Korea and Japan foreign ministers, and then published his remarks.
Did he use all the current buzz-words here?
Let’s see…..
ironclad security relationship
steadfast commitment to defend both allies
shape new norms and standards that align with our values and interests
intense engagement
helping our partners
collective interest
trilateral engagements
several concrete ways
strengthening trilateral cooperation
protecting freedom of navigation and overflight
align with our values and interests
complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula
trilateral cooperation to deter the DPRK
serious concerns
concrete areas for discussion
deterrence and diplomacy
undermining of these very rules and norms
then we open a Pandora’s box
….check!
What are the implications of Bidens new strategy for Southeast Asia?
Maybe we could try pirouetting instead of pivoting… It has slightly more elegance…Of course, there’s really no place to put the nukes…