There was little surprise in President Barack Obama's announcement late last year that the United States would strengthen its position in East Asia while drawing down its forces in Europe.
After all, the security environment in East Asia is unpredictable and rapidly changing, unlike in Europe where it is relatively stable. Against this background, efforts now under way to establish a comprehensive multilateral framework for the region can gain from the recent history of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The U.S. is not alone in shifting its security focus to East Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to host Russia's first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Vladivostok in September reflects his country's growing interest in the region. And like the U.S., Russia attended last November's East Asia Summit (EAS).