U.S. Navy Seaman Reid Osborne signals the pilot of an F/A-18E Super Hornet to taxi his aircraft forward on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 25, 2011. The George Washington is conducting a patrol in the western Pacific region. Osborne is an aviation boatswain's mate airman. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sandip K. DhesiDefence Cuts Imperil US Asia Role -- Rep. J. Randy Forbes, The Diplomat
Slashing the US defence budget could undermine stability in Asia and US interests there, says J. Randy Forbes. And it could get worse this autumn.
Just as the history of the world was written in Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries, the history of the 21st century will surely be written in the Asia-Pacific. Four decades of almost uninterrupted economic growth and the expansion of democratic governance has created a region of peace, prosperity, and integration that rivals almost any in history. The United States has been one of the greatest benefactors of Asia's success – we have gained access to new markets, formed deeper alliances to ensure stability, and seen the winds of democratic change sweep away ruthless autocrats.
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My Comment: Not everyone agrees with this analysis.