Edited and translated by People's Daily Online
On Jan. 5, U.S. President Barack Obama announced a defense strategy report titled “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense”, which highlighted the country’s determination to maintain its status as a “military superpower” despite budget pressures as well as its plan to shift its military focus to the Asia-Pacific region.
The United States shifts its focus to the Asia-Pacific region mainly for four purposes. The first purpose is to “sustain U.S. global leadership” and to ensure its absolute safety and absolute advantages, as the report’s title reveals. The second is to take advantage of the Asia-Pacific region’s strong economic growth to solve its own economic problems. The third is to make waves in the region in collaboration with its allies. The fourth is to form an alliance in the region to counter China’s rise.
The United States is still in the period of strategic contraction despite the recent seemingly aggressive defense strategy adjustments. There are three reasons why it is using offensive tactics simply for defense.
First, this strategic adjustment is an overdue adjustment. It is an extension of the last adjustment, but it does not mean that the United States has “moved from Europe to Asia.” The United States pays attention to the balance of powers between Europe and Asia. It will not ignore Europe but will “look at both of Europe and Asia.” Therefore, its strategic power will be split.
Second, this strategic adjustment is its only choice in a gloomy economic situation. The United States has been heavily damaged by the financial crisis, and still cannot recover its economy steadily and is facing a high unemployment rate and a greatly reduced budget. Therefore, it has to make such an adjustment.
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