by Matthew Rusling
WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing a policy somewhat like his predecessor Barack Obama, albeit one that is more direct, U.S. experts said.
Trump has in recent days re-directed a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group to the area in a bid to send a signal both to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and to its allies in the region, after the DPRK's recent missile test launch and heightened rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang.
"Right now, the Trump administration seems to be following an 'Obama-plus' strategy: same approach of reassuring allies, maintaining military assets in the region, but heightened rhetoric, more direct threats," Michael Auslin, director of Japan Studies and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, told Xinhua.
"No real indications yet that they (the Trump administration) are considering a new round of negotiations, but if they are, then having a harder line upfront, announcing the end of 'strategic patience' gives them a stronger starting hand," said Auslin, author of new book The End of the Asian Century.
"Sending a carrier strike group is the first step in preparing to respond to any (DPRK) action. It's not just about a potential nuclear test, but about future missile launches, or another act of provocation against (the ROK) or Japan," Auslin said.
"It's a signal of commitment to our allies, and also gives the president flexibility to consider a direct response, if he determines it's necessary," he said.
Read the full story at Xinhua