At the conclusion of President Obama’s four country tour, US foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific seemingly remains unchanged. Promoted as an attempt to bolster relations with allies, many saw the trip as lackluster and devoid of results. While the Obama administration will tout the visit’s success, Mel Gurtov expresses his hope for a more innovative approach in the future.

President Barack Obama’s recent trip to meet with Asian allies was an attempt to reassure allies that they still have US support. In particular, President Obama’s rhetoric regarding the Diaoyu Islands has been seen as inflammatory for the region, however, his statements were simply lip service to Japan in exchange for economic concessions.

Bi-lateral and multi-lateral Free Trade Agreements are becoming increasingly important in maximizing regional and international trade. Due to the immense size of China, South Korea and Japan’s economies, it is important that all three negotiate and develop a China-South Korea-Japan Free Trade Area. Increased trade between the three will lead to increases in the size of all of their economies.

The US and Philippines have developed a close military relationship in recent years that the Chinese fear is an attempt to entrap or counter their influence in the region. Recent aggressive moves by the Philippines over territorial disputes have caused China to fear that this relationship will cause greater tensions in the region, and between the US and China.

President Obama's trip to Asia is an important event in the administration's "pivot" or "rebalancing" to Asia. While the pivot may be difficult, all sectors of American and Asian society will be integral in developing the bond that will make this rebalancing successful.

The crisis in Ukraine is geopolitically important for the US; however, it will not derail the US “pivot” to Asia-Pacific. The US will continue to “pivot” towards Asia-Pacific through increased troop deployments, an increased role in conflict mediation, as well as through the promotion of stronger regional alliances in an attempt to contain a growing China.

Wu Zurong urges President Obama to encourage Japan to refrain from its path of reviving militarism and instead to seek solutions through peaceful negotiations.

A major trend accompanying the multi-polarization of the international political economy is the eastward shift of the world’s economic and political gravity center, from the two sides of the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific, writes Cui Liru.

What’s on President Barack Obama’s agenda in Asia? As U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s trip to the Asia-Pacific comes to a close, Mel Gurtov turns his attention to Obama-s four-country trip at the end of April and highlights its significance for US alliance politics in Asia.

In light of recent tension in the Asia Pacific, Colin Moreshead argues that the United States should bring Japan, South Korea and China all to the table for common-ground initiatives, like fighting climate change or promoting education.