The United States and Asia in 2007: A Region in Transition

Economic conditions in Asia are generally favorable, with growth rates remaining strong in all except a few nations. Political conditions vary, with certain states facing significant degrees of instability, especially the democracies. Three forces, internationalism, nationalism, and communalism continue to rise in Asia, with each nation faced with the challenge of handling these semiconflictual forces. On balance, however, events in 2007 support cautious optimism.