Call it, if you will, a Bush Doctrine. The United States is involved in confrontations with China and between China and Taiwan, between North Korea and South Korea, between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Asian allies and friends wonder if they can count on the United States to fulfill its security commitments. The United States must ensure freedom of navigation on the ocean and over international waters.
Pressures increase by the day to reduce U.S. military forces in Asia.
In sum, America's challenges in Asia won't quit. Bush has gotten off to a rocky start in Asia, as was pointed out in an article from The New York Times on these pages last week. A Bush Doctrine would start with a clear definition of U.S. interests in Asia, which would be directed at several disparate audiences. Foremost would be the American people and Congress. If Americans are to embrace a policy, they need to know what they are being asked to support with their votes and taxes.