Posted on 08/13/2019 5:18:06 PM PDT by Mariner
WASHINGTON — For two and a half years, President Trump has said he is finally doing in Asia what he asserts his predecessor, Barack Obama, failed to achieve with a strategic pivot: strengthen American influence and rally partners to push back against China.
But as violence escalates and old animosities are rekindled across Asia, Washington has chosen inaction, and governments are ignoring the Trump administration’s mild admonitions and calls for calm. Whether it is the internal battles in India and Hong Kong or the rivalry between two American allies, Japan and South Korea, Mr. Trump and his advisers are staying on the sidelines.
The inability or unwillingness of Washington to help defuse the flash points is one of the clearest signs yet of the erosion of American power and global influence under Mr. Trump, who has stuck to his “America First” idea of disengagement, analysts say.
“Without the steady centripetal force of American diplomacy, disorder in Asia is spinning in all sorts of dangerous directions,” said William J. Burns, a deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration and the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The net result is not only increased risk of regional turbulence, but also long-term corrosion of American influence.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The reality is that American Power in Asia is on the rise.
Trump has stopped the bleeding and the patient is healing.
When was the last time Norklandia let off a missile over Japan?
When was the last time (never) China sent out its ships to play footsie with an American warship or Battle Group while transiting China's so-called Maritime Security Zone?
Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, India South Korea all reaching out in friendship and solidarity in common cause. And delivering on considerable defense commitments.
The Chinese Hegemon challenged, or brought to heal on ALL fronts.
In fact, that's the apparent philosophy of the Trump foreign policy...to use all elements and capabilities of American power (economic, military, financial, diplomatic) in concert to pursue American interests.
And to choose battles wisely.
The countries in Asia see this and have immense respect for our President. The Chinese never thought they'd see anything like this from the US.
Europe is next.
If Trump doesn’t have a land war with the PRC, then he’ll be in trouble with ED WONG, huh.
Okay.
Ed’s just plain Wong on this one.
How do we know he isn't just a plant from Chicom intelligence?
“Ed’s just plain Wong on this one”
I wonder if he’s kin to Capt. Sum Ting Wong.
So far the left wants to go to war with: Russia, China...
BS, the elites are pushing the markets to tank...
As well President Trump should. Interfering in other countries internal affairs should be completely avoided.
As for Hong Kong, the british handover does not completely absolve the british of responsibility. Where is the protestations from the UK?
Truly a Wong Number....
He has the Wong idea about what we need to do
Successful journalism in the Trump era is simple. Just hold a contrary view of Trump and always do so.
The last time North Korea shot off a missile over the Sea of Japan was August 5. It was the fourth test in 13 days.
I think he’s the cousin of Ho Lee Sheet.
“over Japan” was the assertion.
In fact they have not shot anything with over a 300 mile range since they were called up short with nuclear annihilation.
And Sum Ting Wong.
Yes, it looks like doesn't it. But other than state the obvious, would the editors or Mr. Wong care to give the President advice on a course other than inaction?
Or Wi To Dum.
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