The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power

Event Date: 9th April 2025
Location: Internet 17:00 BST

Across the political spectrum, there is wide agreement that Asia should stand at the center of US foreign policy. But this worldview, first represented in the Obama administration’s 2011 “Pivot to Asia,” marks a dramatic departure from the entire history of American grand strategy. While the Pivot’s strategic logic is strong, there are few successes to speak of, and Washington needs a far more coherent approach to the Indo-Pacific region. The US has far less margin for foreign policy error today than a decade ago given the rise of the People’s Republic of China. As the international order becomes more unstable, it is imperative that policymakers fully understand what the Pivot to Asia aimed, and aims, to achieve—and where it fell short—in order to muster the resources, alliances, and resolve to preserve an open order in Asia and the world. Crafting an effective policy for the region, they contend, is crucial for preserving American security, prosperity, and democratic values.

At this event, Richard Fontaine will discuss his book, Lost Decade: The US Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power.

The first 25 PennCard holders will receive a free copy of the book.