Managing the United States-China-Japan strategic triangle and East Asian security in the twenty-first century

U.S. trade with Asia exceeds U.S. trade with Europe, and the economic, political, military, cultural, and historic ties between East Asia and the United States are comprehensive. For many important reasons, it is an imperative of American foreign, economic and defense policy that the United States remain a participant and a leader in Pacific affairs. Perhaps foremost among these is the U.S. role in East Asian security.;Protecting the vital lanes of international trade in the Pacific and influencing political and military developments in the Asia-Pacific region are key goals of U.S. foreign and security policy. This thesis examines how the United States defines and implements its policy objectives and responds to an increasingly more powerful China. It also considers the uncertain future of the security alliance with Japan and the effects of unresolved political and military questions, territorial disputes, and other questions that might arise in East Asian and trans-Pacific international relations.