ChinaTalk U.S. Foreign Policy in Asia
Oct 2, 2019
Mira Rapp-Hooper, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Paul Tsai Center at Yale Law School, dives into the evolution of U.S. foreign policy in Asia. She explores the historical context from Washington's warnings to present-day alliances. The discussion covers the implications of a rising China, the dynamics around the Taiwan Strait, and the costs of unilateral actions. Rapp-Hooper also reflects on the shifting landscape with Trump’s impact on U.S. alliances, highlighting complex strategic decisions in an increasingly multipolar world.
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The 1942 Alliance and Strategic Shift
- The wartime alliance with Britain in 1942 was crucial for US survival.
- It shifted US grand strategy as the British Empire waned, leaving the US as a dominant power.
The Rise of NATO
- The need for alliances became clear when international institutions alone couldn't manage great power competition.
- NATO’s goal was to deter conflict, not just win wars like previous alliances.
Strategic Ambiguity in Treaties
- The strategic ambiguity in treaties was due to US domestic concerns.
- Congress worried about giving the president too much war-making power.
