By Elbridge Colby & Brad Glosserman
A week of discussions last month with the United States’ Northeast Asian allies sent one very important message: there are no doubts about the credibility of the U.S. extended deterrent in that region of the world. Neither North Korea’s provocations and fire-breathing rhetoric, nor China’s recent flexing of its foreign policy muscles has shaken our allies’ faith in the US commitment to their defense.
At least, not yet.
While our Japanese and Korean interlocutors signaled confidence in Washington for the near term, they made it clear – echoing comments we’ve heard throughout the region over the last year – that they worry about the long-term ability of the United States to meet its commitments. Intentions aren’t the problem: there are few doubts about the sincerity of commitment across the U.S. political spectrum to a strong presence in Asia. No, these concerns are deeper, and go to the very will and even ability of the United States to address profound problems in its political and economic system. Capability isn’t the problem – it’s will. And it’s in large part the will to tackle problems at home that worries our friends.
Read the full story at The Diplomat