The Erosion of U.S. Power in Asia

When George W. Bush was president, critics of his Asia policy liked to say that America was "getting its derriere kicked" by China.

By this the critics meant that the war in Iraq was a big distraction and that the United States was not attending enough Asian multilateral conferences, where it could demonstrate its "soft power."

While this case against the Bush administration was never wholly convincing, it did contain a kernel of truth. Beijing did gain regional influence at Washington's expense under Mr. Bush's watch.

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