THE UNITED STATES

Lecture 4 Dimitri Nadiradze

ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
 SUMMARY

Factors Influencing US Policies in Asia Pacific

An Overview of US Policies in Asia Pacific

 MAJOR FACTORS

Historical Experience of the United States

Interpretation of US National Interests

The Impact of Domestic Politics

The US Power
 HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE

The US Involvement in Northeast Asia

The US Involvement in Southeast Asia

Japanese Expansionism – Major Concern for the US

Regional Events Through the Lens of the Cold War

 HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE

Decolonization Process in Southeast Asia

Changing the Policy towards China & Japan

Supporting ASEAN: Grouping of Non-Communist States

Post-Cold War Period: Sino-US Dynamics

 NATIONAL INTERESTS

Preventing Domination of Rival Powers

Network of Aligned States, No Direct Enemies

Free Trade Approach & the Challenge of Trade Deficit

National Interests VS Ideological Interests

 THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC POLITICS

Public Opinion

Interest Groups
 Economic
 Ideological

Government
 The Executive Branch
 The Legislative Branch
 THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC POLITICS

State Department
 The Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Department of Defense

Department of Commerce

National Security Advisor

 The US POWER

Military Capabilities
 Experience & Data
 Military Access and Deployments
 Nuclear Capabilities

Economic Capabilities
 Number One Economy in the World

Soft Power
 Founder of Global Political and Economic Architecture
 Spreading American Values and Culture
 AN OVERVIEW OF US POLICIES IN ASIA
PACIFIC

The George H.W. Bush Administration (1989-1993)

The Clinton Administration (1993-2001)

The George W. Bush Administration (2001-2009)

The Barack Obama Administration (2009-2017)

The Donald Trump Administration (2017-2021)

 THE GEORGE H.W. BUSH
ADMINISTRATION (1989-1993)

Strong Emphasis on Military Power as a Tool of US Policy

US Bilateral Alliances: Hub & Spokes or The Structure of Fan

The Impact of Soviet Collapse

The Reduction of Military Forces in the Asia Pacific (1990-1995)

 THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION (1993-
2001)

Integration of Economic, Political and Security Policies

Towards the Asia Pacific

The Priorities of the US Policy Towards the Asia Pacific

 Comprehensive, Durable Partnership with Japan
 Erasing Nuclear Threat From Korean Peninsula
 Spurring Regional Cooperation on Global Challenges
(Environment, Refugees, Narcotics, Nonproliferation, Arms Sales)
 Strengthening of APEC and Deepening ties with ASEAN
 Promoting Democracy and Human Rights
 THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION (1993-
2001)

Security Strategy for East Asia-Pacific 1995 - The Nye Report

 The Strengthening of Alliances
 The Maintenance of a Forward Military Presence
 The Development of Regional Institutions
The Second Clinton Administration Period
 Clinton’s Vision of a New Pacific Community
 Further Cooperation with Japan
 Developing a Productive Relationship with China
 Dealing with the Nuclear Tensions on Korean Peninsula
 Responding to the Asian Economic Crisis
 Relations with Indonesia
 THE GEORGE W. BUSH
ADMINISTRATION (2001-2009)

Shift Towards More Realist Agenda:

Strong Emphasis on Military Power as a Tool of US Policy

Major Challenges: China & North Korea

Major Allies: Japan & South Korea

The importance of Taiwan & The Role of India

 THE GEORGE W. BUSH
ADMINISTRATION (2001-2009)

9/11 Attacks – The War On Terrorism

Axis of Evil – North Korea, Iraq & Iran

Freedom of Action for using Hard Power after 9/11

Challenges with Philippines and Indonesia

 THE BARACK OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
(2009-2017)

Strategic Pivot to Asia Pacific Region

Political Dimension – Strengthening Alliances

Economic Dimension – The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement

Strategic Dimension – Expanding Military Presence

US Policy Towards China: Containment VS Cooperation

 THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
(2017-2021)

Asia Pacific Region vs Indo Pacific Region

Political Dimension – Focus on Bilateral Cooperation

Economic Dimension – Withdrawal from the TPP, Protectionism

Strategic Dimension – Expanding Military Presence

US Policy Towards China: Containment > Cooperation

 ANY
QUESTIONS???
 SUMMARIZING MAJOR POINTS

 Factors Influencing US Policies in Asia Pacific

 Historical Experience
 Interpretation of US National Interests
 The Impact of Domestic Politics
 The US Power

 An Overview of US Policies in Asia Pacific

 The George H.W. Bush Administration
 The Clinton Administration
 The George W. Bush Administration
 The Barack Obama Administration
 The Donald Trump Administration
 THANKS
FOR YOUR ATTENTION