[Kavi Chongkittavorn] U.S. strategic clarity helps build confidence

In a time like today of rapid power shifts, the world’s heavyweights are no longer occupying themselves with the usual strategic ambivalence ― their mantra over the past three decades. Such a mindset was the right attitude to have in the past, but somehow this noncommittal behavior is no longer the norm. Friends and foes want to make sure they are on the right side. It’s time to speak out. 

In the past weeks, top U.S. policymakers have made clear one very important fact: that the U.S. would defend its treaty allies, especially Japan and the Philippines. The two countries are having territorial problems with China. Before that, questions were repeatedly asked whether Washington was ready to defend them vis-a-vis attacks from unfriendly countries. The answers then were quite simple ― they all depended on the circumstances and nature of the conflict.

In 1979 when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it remained unclear whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan, notwithstanding Washington’s obligation to sell arms to Taipei. For the past 65 years, the relationship has served its useful purpose ― avoiding war across the Taiwan Straits. Now the prospect of even closer Beijing-Taiwan relations has increased following the historic meeting between their officials in Nanjing recently.

In the case of the Philippines ― a U.S. ally since 1951 ― Washington has moved gradually from strategic ambiguity to clarity after the growing tension in the South China Sea dispute. The clearest message came from the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, who reiterated recently that the U.S. would honor its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines. That much was clear. Manila has tried for years to get Washington’s tacit pledge that the U.S. would help to ward off enemy attacks.

Currently, the U.S. is facing a security headache, which has unavoidably forced the abandonment of long-observed strategic ambiguity. This time, the U.S. aims at appeasing an anxious Japan. Earlier, when China and Japan quarreled over the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, nobody thought it would reach the current Houdini-level of danger and suspense. Both countries are walking a tightrope with no exit strategies in sight for the time being.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry used his latest Asia trip to impress upon Japan Washington’s political commitment. If Japan and China go to war, the U.S. will be dragged into conflict as well, thanks to growing webs of strategic interdependence. Other U.S. allies would also be mobilized if that were the outcome.

China is succinct in its position regarding its sovereignty over disputed islands, both in the East China Sea and South China Sea. Beijing also declared recently an air defense zone above the East China Sea and imposed new fishing rules off Hainan island. The Chinese military leaders were not shy in saying they were not ruling out the option of using force if China’s territorial integrity had been violated.

An unwavering security commitment from the U.S. would serve as a deterrence to avoid war. When U.S. President Barack Obama visits Asia in April, all eyes will be on his stopovers in Japan and the Philippines and what he has to say regarding the growing tension in this part of the world and the U.S. grand strategy.

Last June in California, Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on their new modes of bilateral relations to promote peace and stability. Since then the two powers have also fine-tuned their strategic relations with the countries in Southeast Asia. Beijing has been quite perceptive in saying that the U.S. rebalancing efforts have stirred up the regional strategic situation, causing more imbalance in the region. U.S. allies and friends are expecting more help to defend against external threats. China’s recent actions have been perceived generally as a key security debacle. However, many Asian countries still have good and stable ties with Beijing.

One major power ― Russia ― has for the time being stayed out of this strategic competition. During the Cold War, the former Soviet Union was the region’s security concern. The thrice-elected Russian President Vladimir Putin has put his attention elsewhere in the more turbulent and beneficial battlegrounds in the Middle East and Africa.

Essentially, Russia will stay on the fence and watch how this game of strategic clarity plays itself out. Russia is not going to jump into any messy political power plays in Asia again, after the quagmires of Indochina and Afghanistan. After the 1987 decision to withdraw from Indochina, the former Soviet Union failed to reconnect with the region aside from Vietnam. Putin has missed the newly launched East Asia Summit three times since 2010. He could easily have augmented his country’s role and global leadership by attending the EAS and helping to shape the emerging regional architecture. Russia will wait and welcome the countries dismayed or distracted by the growing U.S.-China tensions over what to do and what not to do.

What would be the endgame of the U.S.’ strategic clarity? With all purposes and intent, the U.S. wants to reiterate its commitment to defend allies against external threats to win back their confidence. Of course, Washington believes no nation on Earth would dare to go to war with the U.S.

By Kavi Chongkittavorn 

Kavi Chongkittavorn is a senior fellow at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University, and assistant group editor of Nation Media Group in Thailand. ― Ed.

(Asia News Network)