30 October 2012

Editorial: Softer Side of America’s “Pivot”


By Trefor Moss

The U.S.’s pivot to Asia has generally been portrayed in terms of the additional military assets that Washington is sending over  to the region: Marines to Australia, littoral combat ships to Singapore, MV-22 Ospreys to Japan, and additional U.S. Navy ships to the Pacific overall .

However, the US military’s increasing diplomatic efforts are at least as important. Most Asian militaries are in the process of modernizing, and many are starting from quite a low base. So while these countries may not regard themselves as being especially on the U.S.’s “side”, and while they may not be in a position to acquire much expensive American weaponry, they are only too happy to pick up some operational tips from the experts.

Read the full story at The Diplomat