AFPC’s Smith Speaks on Asia Expert Panel: “Asia’s Cauldrons—The East and South China Seas: What Happens Next?”

On September 28, AFPC Director for Asia Security Programs, Jeff M. Smith, was an expert speaker at a conference hosted by the Center for the National Interest in Washington, D.C. The full-day conference, titled “Asia’s Cauldrons—The East and South China Seas: What Happens Next?” included three panel presentations from U.S.,  Vietnamese, and Japanese regional and military experts.   Smith participated in a panel titled “Grading Obama’s Pivot to Asia – Reinforcing Alliances or Creating Tensions?” with The         Hudson Institute’s Deputy Director for American Seapower Bryan McGrath, and The CATO Institute’s Director of Foreign Policy Studies Justin Logan.  In his presentation, Jeff communicated his support for the goals behind the “Pivot” or “Re-Balance” to Asia but is concerned the administration has not supported its stated objectives with the necessary policies and practices.