The Cold War dominated the world right from the 1940s up to around 1990s. During this period, various countries that were allied to either the United States or to the Soviet Union engaged in protracted battles or military aggressions with one another. Although the two powerful countries never really engaged in a large-scale fight, the military tension between them presented a potential threat of a global nuclear war.
Each side was actively engaged in trying to acquire new allies, which they sought to subsidize with economic aid, especially in terms of military weaponry. However, the United States became stronger after the collapse of the Communist movement in 1960, following China’s withdrawal. Subsequently, the United States developed the “containment policy” that paralyzed and eventually collapsed the Soviet Union in 1991. This marked the onset of significant changes to the America’s Foreign Policy (Shambaugh & Yahuda, 2009).
Counter-attack Strategy
After 1991, the United States foreign policy of alliance-building was replaced with counter-attack strategy. As a result, the federal government significantly reduced its expenditure on foreign policy and Cold War defense. Instead, it focused on thwarting any military invasions that threatened global peace. For example, when Saddam Hussein carried out a surprise attack on Kuwait in 1991, the United States responded by forming a military alliance that successfully stopped the invasion.
However, the alliance did not capture Saddam, leaving him free to cause trouble for much longer time. This military goof was attributed to lack of a clear vision for a foreign policy by the United States. Under President Clinton, the US, working under the United Nations, also successfully stopped ethnic wars in Yugoslavia. It was during this time that the United States focused on using diplomacy as opposed to war against its perceived enemies.
Particularly, President Clinton’s administration developed closer ties with the Asia-Pacific region in a bid to stem out military tension. They sought to identify themselves with any country that had no intentions of pursuing nuclear weaponry and condemned those that did. According the Department of Defense, military intervention would only be necessary to stop countries from developing nuclear weapons, which were considered a great threat to the world (Cai, 2011).
Military Engagement
Although the country focused more on domestic economy, it continued to get involved in internal security issues of most countries in the Asia- Pacific region. For example, the United States maintained its military bases in South Korea for a long time in an attempt to deter the country’s pursuit of nuclear weaponry. In addition, it attempted to neutralize China’s influence in Asia by increasing its military presence in most Asian states.
However, these policies have proved unsuccessful as South Korea’s nuclear bases continue to strengthen and China’s influence becomes unrivalled. In fact, later attempts to resuscitate diplomacy with these countries have, in most cases, failed. In 2007, for instance, a Free Trade Agreement between South Korea and the United States failed at the point of ratification.
This is due to deep-seated mistrust that had been cultivated between these countries due to poor foreign policies by the United States. In addition, this mistrust has caused the emergence of an ideological war with China, which is fast emerging as an economic as well as military power base in Asia (Cai, 2011).
The United States has always tried to contain China and prevent it from emerging as a world military power. Although it initially treated China with great hostility, the country has opted to using diplomatic means to address China.
This, however, sometimes goes overboard, especially when insults or weird accusations are used by both countries. For example, China has in many occasions been forced to do what the United States wanted them to do, like the incorporation of Tibet. Basically, it has been a combination of both diplomacy and military exercise (Calder and Min, 2010).
Policies of the Obama Administration
It is the Obama administration that has significantly changed America’s foreign policy of Asia-Pacific. This administration has always re-affirmed and demonstrated willingness to forge alliances with most countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In doing this, it has embarked on solving the economic and security threats of the region instead of earlier policies of the war on terror.
For example, when President Obama visited Australia in 2011, he received a very warm welcome, signifying that his administration had finally won over the hearts of the country’s leaders. In reminding Australians of their close ties running from war in Afghanistan to the Aussies, the President used diplomacy to break historical tension that has consistently hampered their bilateral relations.
The Obama administration has also welcomed China’s rise as a military power, as well as an economic challenger. In fact, it has picked out ideological misunderstandings as the reason behind their past hostilities. Nonetheless, both governments have committed to increase their influence in the region in order to deter global threats to peace (McDougall, 2007).
The new approach of mutual cooperation is likely to benefit both countries economically. There is little doubt that Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing region in the world. Thus, it creates several jobs and economic opportunities that Americans also benefit from. In addition, the region has also developed as the world’s center for nuclear power and human population. These developments have left the United States with little options, but to cooperate with China.
It is probably the reason why President Obama has promised that their military involvement in Afghanistan is the last in the region. The United States government certainly wants to recognize China as a great military power that is capable of dealing with most of the region’s challenges. In fact, it has realized that diplomatic approach will record better success in increasing US influence in the region.
Although the historical hostility is still eminent, the United States seems quite disinterested in military influence, but on economic participation. Recently, the United States has tried to persuade China to make their International Trade rules more flexible to allow for more bilateral trade. However, it remains to be seen if the China will reciprocate this gesture by opening up to international trade (MacIntyre & Ravenhill, 2008).
In conclusion, the collapse of the Soviet Union eased the tension created by the Cold War. However, the United States seized the opportunity to stomp their authority on all countries in the Asia-Pacific region by thwarting their economic and military development. It resulted in their military participation in South-North Korean war, Vietnam War and the Iran-Iraq war.
It was China that defied the United States and established themselves as a strong economic power. Currently, China is said to have outsmarted the United States in almost all aspects, especially in nuclear power. As a result, the Obama administration has had to change tact and adopt a diplomatic approach to the region.
References
Cai, K G 2011, The Political Economy of East Asia: Regional and National Dimensions. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
Calder, K & Min, Y 2010, The Making of Northeast Asia. Stanford University Press, Stanford.
MacIntyre, A, Pempel, T & Ravenhill, J 2008, Crisis as Catalyst: Asia’s Dynamic Political Economy. Cornell University Press, Denver.
McDougall, D 2007, Asia Pacific in World Politics, Lynne Rienner Publishers, Colorado.
Shambaugh, D & Yahuda, M 2009, International Relations of Asia, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Maryland.