U.S. faces long odds in improved relations with Asia

14/01/2010

 (Washington Post) In the year that she's been secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton has been to Asia four times -- more than any other region in the world. Clinton's advisers are fond of proclaiming that the United States is "back" in Asia. The secretary herself got into the act on Tuesday, saying "The United States is not only back, but here to stay." But the Obama administration faces tough odds as it seeks to improve the standing of the United States in a vast region that does more trade with America than any other and that is the home to the biggest U.S. airbase outside the United States.