Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / China / Asia is more important to the U.S. than Europe, and U.S. leaders need to start acting like it
China, Asia, Europe and Eurasia

June 22, 2022

Asia is more important to the U.S. than Europe, and U.S. leaders need to start acting like it

By Sascha Glaeser

The Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore recently wrapped up. As a forum to discuss Asian security issues, it was curious that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed attendees.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has rightfully dominated global attention. But as the Biden administration surges U.S. troops to Europe, now numbering 100,000, and provides upward of $54 billion in aid to Ukraine, it risks making a strategic foreign-policy blunder—prioritizing Europe over Asia.

Regardless of how much the United States sympathizes with Ukraine’s tragic circumstances; even the mighty United States must make tradeoffs. With a myriad of domestic issues ranging from a shrinking middle class, record inflation, a stagnating economy, and the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, U.S. policymakers cannot afford to pursue the status-quo in both Europe and Asia.

Read at Business Insider

Author

Sascha
Glaeser

Former Research Associate

Defense Priorities

More on Asia

ExplainerMilitary analysis, Air power, Basing and force posture, Land power, Naval power

Aligning global military posture with U.S. interests

By Jennifer Kavanagh and Dan Caldwell

July 9, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Americas, China, Great power competition

What is Trump’s “new realism” in foreign policy?

By Lyle Goldstein

July 4, 2025

op-edNATO, Alliances, Asia

Why America’s East Asian allies skipped the NATO summit

By Lyle Goldstein

July 2, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia

There is no ‘axis of autocracy’

By Daniel DePetris

July 1, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Americas, China, Iran, Middle East, Russia

How not to do multipolarity

By Anthony Constantini

June 28, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Iran, Asia, China, Middle East, North Korea

Will the U.S. strikes on Iran push China and North Korea to ramp up their nuclear arms programmes?

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

June 27, 2025

Events on China

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

Past Virtual Event: U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

Past Virtual Event: China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualAsia, Basing and force posture, Burden sharing, China, Grand strategy

Past Virtual Event: Rethinking U.S. strategy in East Asia: do more bases mean more deterrence?

January 24, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved