Islamic extremists grab parts of Iraq and Syria. Yemen slides into civil war. Iran’s nuclear program strains U.S. relations with Israel. Ukraine fights Russian-backed separatists.At a time of crisis across the Middle East and beyond, the Obama administration is trying to keep its focus on a widely advertised shift to Asia.The administration has pursued the strategy since 2011, arguing that no region is more important to the United States’ long-term interests, particularly as the rise of China brings concern in other Asian capitals.Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit Japan and South Korea this week, part of a series of planned …read more
Source: The Jakarta Post
