The Asia-Pacific Region in the National Security Strategy 2013

Abstract

In spite of the inclusion of the region Asia-Pacific as one of the most important strategic areas within the National Security Strategy, a thorough analysis bears as a conclusion, that in fact, the real importance attributed is not significant. Dealing with this region in such a way is surprising given the fact that Asia-Pacific is gaining in importance and more external actors are accordingly devoting an increased attention; this is not only the case with such actors as the US, but also with some of the main actors in the European Union. The low priority granted to the region, along with an excessively vague definition of both those possible threats to our security and the actions needed to counter them, result in this document being far from what this region deserves in importance.