As China, North Korea and Russia adopt increasingly aggressive positions globally, some East Asian nations are gaining greater strategic significance for the United States. Confronting these security challenges, the U.S. has actively urged Japan to address historical disputes with its neighbor, South Korea. At the same time, the U.S. is working to improve cooperation among the three democracies to bolster their collective strength.

Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan explores the East Asian Rim and explains why, unlike other regions discussed in his series on a post-American world, the U.S. will remain engaged in this area for decades to come.

Excerpted from Peter’s Feb. 5 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:

Today, we’re looking at another region that the U.S. will continue to keep tabs on – East Asia. This is one of those regions that will be plenty exciting in coming years, so let’s jump in.

Let’s start with the regional allies – Japan and Australia. Together with the U.S., these three countries have formed a trilateral alliance, which will help shape the power balance in the Pacific. Australia has been a close ally for decades and will continue to be just that. Japan is a more recent member of Washington’s inner circle and has joined for one big reason – China.

Japan, Australia and the U.S. partnership has struck a strategic balance of power with Russia and China. This region’s future will depend upon where other regional powers decide to place their allegiance. Given China’s internal challenges and Russia’s apparent problems, it could (will?) turn chaotic very quickly.

We’ll be watching the dynamics unfold in East Asia over the coming years, and I expect no shortage of excitement.

Access Peter’s other post-American world commentaries:

• Romania in a post-American world
• Scandinavia reawakens in a post-American world
• Australia in a post-American world
• India in a post-American world
• How should Turkey navigate in a post-American world?
• Northern Africa in a post-American world
• Israel in a post-American world
• Germany’s steep decline poses dire threat to future of EU
• The Middle East in a post-American world
• Getting ready for the post-American world