The Asia Pacific policy statement had all the core ingredients of the Obama administration, even though labels such as “rebalance” and “pivot to Asia” were missing. While the sense of continuity was reassuring, if the region is looking for creative and new approaches to maintain regional peace and stability, it must have been disappointed.

The turmoil lasting for more than two years in the Middle East has led to some great changes in the overall situation of this region, with new conflicts breakin