While Washington acknowledges its allies and partners are willing to back a “free and open” Indo-Pacific policy, the keys to American success in confronting Chinese bullying is having smaller nations see a “consistent and reliable” presence from the U.S., according to a former senior diplomat. Speaking at a Heritage Foundation online webinar, David Stilwell, who from 2019 to early 2021 served as the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said “we should design our policy for speed, not perfection.” The retired Air Force brigadier general said, the “policy has to be steady” to deter “gray-zone” harassment … Continue reading Former State Official Says Pacific Nations Must See ‘Consistent and Reliable’ U.S. Presence to Counter China