It's Asia (Again)
Abstract
One of the persistent claims made as the 20th century came to a close was that Asia and the Pacific were increasingly significant to the United States and the world. Analysts and commentators proclaimed that we were entering a "Pacific Century" and pointed to the rising power of large states such as China and India. Japan has been a major economic power for decades, but the growth rates experienced by China and more recently by India, and expanding trade flows suggest the world's economic center of gravity is indeed shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Politically, too, the Asia-Pacific is increasingly dynamic and many states are either democratizing or have become bona fide democracies. While these trends are new and noteworthy, they ought not to obscure the fact that Asia has long been a continent of concern for the United States. China, in particular, has been the focus of American interest for almost two centuries because the country was historically seen as a vast market of lost souls in need of spiritual salvation as well as U.S. products. Asia also has been a focus for the United States strategically and militarily. The United States became a bona fide Asia-Pacific power following its victory against Spain in 1899. Paul Bracken argues persuasively that the emergence of European hegemony over Asia was symbolized by the exploratory voyage of Portuguese adventurer Vasco Da Gama in 1498. Symbolically and practically this era is over. It is now more appropriate to speak of the "Post-Dien Bien Phu era." This event marked not only the twilight of European colonialism in Asia but also heralded the rising power and dynamism of the Asia-Pacific. Moreover, the 1954 Viet Minh victory underscored that Asia was on the move and would only continue to grow in power and influence relative to Europe and North America. Asia remains the key battleground for the United States, as it is the preeminent breeding ground for terrorists.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA520594
Entities
People
- Andrew Scobell
Organizations
- United States Army War College