By Zachary Keck
A bipartisan group of U.S. Congress members are calling on the Obama administration to issue a strategic document articulating the pivot or “rebalance” to Asia.
In a letter dated July 23 and addressed to the new National Security Advisor, Susan Rice, Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) and Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) applaud the Obama administration on its decision to pivot to Asia, but express concern that America’s actual strategy to the region remains unclear.
“Currently, agencies outside of the White House, including the Department of Defense, Department of State, and country teams at various Asia Pacific Embassies lack the specific direction that will be required for the implementation of this strategy,” the four Representatives say in the letter.
They add: “Without this guidance, the rest of the U.S. Government and our officials in Asian capitals have been left to try and parse policy from speeches, interviews, and articles.”
“In order to better define the ends-ways-means of the Administration's strategic objectives in this region,” the letter continues, “we urge you to lead an interagency Asia-Pacific Strategy Review. Such a document, in unclassified and classified form, will provide permanent clarity to the Administration's regional strategy.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat