Introduction
The strategy of the USA towards East Asia entails lots of points, and security, economy, investment and demography (migration) are among them.
The weakest point of the strategy is the military angle in general. In spite of the fact, that the number of the American military bases essentially decreased, most people remember the disorders initiated by American soldiers on the territories of Asian countries. These disorders were mostly based on the racial prejudice and discrimination, especially on Philippines. In spite of the fact, that the growing generation does not remember these instances, the generations of the 70s-80s remember these disorders, and that is why their attitude towards the USA is negative. On the other hand, the only military base on Hokkaido (Japan) is treated rather tolerable by the local population. It is conditioned by the fact, that the American-Japan relations were rather close during the cold war, and the issues of racial prejudice are not so serious. Moreover, the territory of the base is remote from the extensively populated regions.
Analysis
Actually, the order in East Asia is arranged by the US military forces and economic domination of the US in this region, Originally, this domination is caused by the extended financial contacts of the USA with Japan – undeniable economic leader in the Asian region. This dominance provided stability and economic development for the years of the cold war, and offered Japan and South Korea the possibility of financial development. However, currently, there are too much worries on the matter of this dominance. The fact is that, the new order in Asia will be featured by the return to an unstable essential power rivalry:the competence of Japan and the USA with China for security and influence in the Asian region. It is forecasted, that the situation may be similar to the Europe in 1870s, when British hegemony gave way to power changeover, safety dilemmas, military rivalry and struggle for regional influence in Asia. Consequently, the dominance of the USa in the Asian region is regarded to be the double edged weapon, and it is difficult to classify it as either strength or weakness.
As for the economy issues, it is necessary to mention, that the investment in the Asian economy (especially Chinese) is regarded to be the largest investment ever. Surely, this financial operation is not considered racial in the context of the world financial crisis, however, the investments of the previous years reached the amounts of $100 billion.
On the other hand, these investments are the essential support for the US economy, as the development of the Trans National Corporations all over the world promotes the economic development of the Corporation Owner. The US Trans National Corporations are the largest, and the most beneficial. However, it is necessary to mention, that the central strategic matter that the USA faces in East Asia is the increase of Chinese power. The Chinese economy has been experiencing 9% growth for the recent three decades, and this year it has reached 12.6% growth. This growth caused the military growth of China, and CIA Director Porter Goss has warned about the aggravation of the situation in Taiwan. In spite of the fact, that Beijing proclaims the issues of peaceful development, the USA is quite worried with the military potential increase, and some experts forecast the American-Chinese military conflict. Thus, the strong point of the US economic dominance may turn to be the weak military point of the US strategy.
As for the demography, and the issues of immigration, it is necessary to mention, that the USA always was the cherry on a cake for the migrants. Taking into account the location of the military bases in Asian countries during the Cold War, it is not surprising, that currently most representatives of the post Cold War generations aim to get the green card on the basis of the statement, that he or she wishes to find a father – an American soldier, who had contacts with Korean / Japanese / Pilipino etc during the service in that country. Some just aim to get the US education, and then stay in the USA, searching for better life. Anyway, the Asian immigration to the USA is regarded to be the most intensive, and it is featured by the fact, that most Asian people consider, that the US government is obliged to grant them the shelter as the compensation for interfering the internal affairs of their country during the Cold War.
On the other hand, immigration is the panacea for the USA from most disasters: selecting the migrants (mainly students), the US educational system selects the best, and permits them to stay and work for the welfare of the USA in different spheres: medicine, IT, banking, political science and others.
References
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- Lucarelli, B. “Yen Bloc: Towards Economic Integration in Asia.” Journal of Contemporary Asia 32, no. 4 (2002): 553
- Metz, Steven. Refining American Strategy in Africa. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute, 2000.
- Simon, Sheldon W. “America’s Strategy in Southeast Asia: From the Cold War to the Terror War.” Contemporary Southeast Asia 30, no. 1 (2008): 150
- W.Hamilton, Donald. The Art of Insurgency: American Military Policy and the Failure of Strategy in Southeast Asia. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1998.