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This R&D concerns America’s “pivot” to Asia, which signifies a shift in America’s foreign policy focus to East Asia from the Middle East.  The shift is largely concerned with China’s growing political and economic clout in global affairs and reassuring American allies, such as Japan and South Korea, who are skittish about China’s power. However, Russia’s recent actions, as well as the ever present risk of terrorism in the Middle East, may make it difficult for the United States to focus on Asian affairs more than other regions.