On November 14, 2009, President Barack Obama concluded his speech at Suntory Hall in Tokyo with the following words: “As America’s first Pacific President, I promise you that this Pacific nation [USA] will strengthen and sustain our leadership in this vitally important part of the world.” What followed was the “Asia Pivot” or “Asia Rebalance”—focusing America’s time, attention, and resources to Asia in recognition of the region’s importance as a center of economic dynamism, population growth, political tensions, and potential military conflicts...