ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the potential challenges and opportunities that nation-states have to confront with, amidst the new direction that the US 'Pivot to Asia' has created. In pushing the case for the US pivot to Asia, one of the underlying catalysts was the increasing relevance of Asia to America. The Pivot to Asia really has significant impact on the Indo-Pacific. Whilst the American algorithm for the Indo-Pacific seeks to reassure Asian states, it is possible that some Asian states have a different interpretation on this intervention. Militarily, the Pivot to Asia requires a rebalance of naval forces with six carrier battle groups, submarines, destroyers, and space-based surveillance assets to the Indo-Pacific region. In the final assessment, the US' Pivot to Asia is hardly comparable to the last Cold War. In this potential confrontation are several features that make it distinct from the Cold War.
