Obama’s “Pivot to Asia” Policy (2011- 2016): the Case of China

Abstract

Politicians and scholars have stated that the 21st century is the century of Asia and China. This paper explains the essence of the new changes, especially when the Pivot was announced by President Obama in 2011. Thus, the main question is “Why (and How) President Obama adopts (and implements) the pivot to Asia policy in 2011?" The probable answer is “President Obama in the Pivot was going to prevent “China's hegemony" in the East Asia." <br />The theory applied is “Liberal Realism" theory of Joseph Nye, because the Pivot as a question of foreign policy, is considered the realism and liberalism simultaneously; and also the level of analysis at least in global and domestic levels. Methodology is mix methodology of Qualitative Content Analysis & Case study. <br />The “Pivot" or “Rebalance" to Asia is a policy based on significant changes in global, rise of China, and domestic level, U.S. relative decline. The Pivot in a regional coherent strategy from India to the Americas, and strategy of cooperation and competition toward China, has implemented through smart leadership not hegemony by economic and military tools like modern & strong alliances, partnerships and institutions to prevent “China's hegemony" and lead it to a responsible emerging power when in the half of the millennium, 2050, coming to its peak of progress. Out of this policy the leadership status of the U.S. will sustain up to the 22th century.