The United States Rebalance to Asia: How Will It Change America’s Defense Strategy in the Region?
As what many refer to as a rebalance to the region, the United States has exhibited a considerable interest in shifting its focus to the Asia-Pacific. This interest is evident by the recent increase of involvement by the United States mostly in the field of military with some countries in the Asia-Pacific, including Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
This notion of the United States rebalance in the Asia-Pacific raises an essential question of how it will impact the relations between the United States with all countries in the Asia-Pacific region. How will this increased engagement specifically benefit Indonesia as one of the emerging and influential countries in the region?
On September 11, 2012, USINDO hosted an Open Forum with Lt. Gen. Daniel P. Leaf, Director of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). Lt. Gen. Leaf presented his views on the explanation behind this shift and the positive impacts that it brings to the region and Indonesia.