Obama Must Make Asia Progress Now

President Theodore Roosevelt has the greatest claim to be our first Pacific commander in chief. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for the enormous accomplishment of ending the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. At the time, Roosevelt declared that as the 20th century unfolded, Asia would become in some respects more important than Europe for the United States. In this realm, as in others, history has vindicated TR.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was educated in the Philippines in useful if unpleasant ways as aide to imperious Gen. Douglas MacArthur, used his far-seeing Farewell Address to warn of the growing “military-industrial complex.” He mentioned four very large armed conflicts of the 20th century — the two World Wars and the Korean War along with the Russo-Japanese War. Three of the four were fought in Asia.

The 21st century is relatively more peaceful and promising — so far — permitting government leaders to focus more on economic concerns and less on armed conflict. Obama attended the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Singapore, a meeting which strengthened this regional organization as a principal partner of the G-20 in global economic stabilization.