FO° Live: Goodbye "Asia Pivot," the US Reembraces Europe

FO° Live is our signature panel discussion that brings together diverse views from around the world. This discussion is hosted by the International Academic Forum (IAFOR) at the Osaka School of International Public Policy and Fair Observer.

Fair Observer is an independent nonprofit media organization that has published more than 2,500 voices from over 90 countries, including statesmen, retired military officers, former diplomats and leading professors along with some of the brightest young public intellectuals from around the world.

The IAFOR Research Centre (IRC) is a politically independent international interdisciplinary think tank based at Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP), at Japan's Osaka University, that conducts and facilitates international and interdisciplinary research projects.

About this Episode:
In his last year in office, Barack Obama settled past feuds and crafted new alliances. In a brilliant and extensive article in The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg dissected what he called the Obama Doctrine, which involved pivoting to Asia and managing the rise of China.

Some foreign policy analysts argue that Obama put his Asia Pivot policy into effect in 2016 by practicing crafty diplomacy, boosting trade, deepening security ties and increasing “soft power” in Asia. Although Joe Biden served as Obama's vice president, he has not been as committed to the same foreign policy.

Many argue that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused US foreign policy to pivot back to Europe. Additionally, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has upset India, a key potential ally against China — the top Asian power and the biggest challenger to the US.