American relations with Asia are at a historic turning point. For more than 40 years after World War II, the naval might of the United States protected its allies in the Far East from the threat of Soviet aggression. The presence of American forces also served as a stabilizing influence in the entire region. Now, with the Soviet threat virtually gone, regional tensions that had been suppressed by Cold War considerations have resurfaced. Arms sales throughout the Far East are on the rise, and there are signs that China is preparing to play a more aggressive role in the region. As the Clinton administration prepares to take over the White House, Asian leaders are seeking reassurances that the United States will maintain its diplomatic and military presence in Asia.
