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The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia Hardcover – Illustrated, June 7, 2016

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

From former assistant secretary of state Kurt M. Campbell comes the definitive analysis and explanation of the new major shift in American foreign policy, its interests and assets, to Asia.

There is a quiet drama playing out in American foreign policy far from the dark contours of upheaval in the Middle East and South Asia and the hovering drone attacks of the war on terror. The United States is in the midst of a substantial and long-term national project, which is proceeding in fits and starts, to reorient its foreign policy to the East. The central tenet of this policy shift, aka the Pivot, is that the United States will need to do more with and in the Asia-Pacific hemisphere to help revitalize its own economy, to realize the full potential of the region's dramatic innovation, and to keep the peace in the world's most dynamic region where the lion's share of the history of the twenty-first century will be written.

This book is about a necessary course correction for American diplomacy, commercial engagement, and military innovation during a time of unrelenting and largely unrewarding conflict. While the United States has intensified its focus on the Asia-Pacific arena relative to previous administrations, much more remains to be done.

The Pivot is about that future. It explores how the United States should construct a strategy that will position it to maneuver across the East and offers a clarion call for cunning, dexterity, and ingenuity in the period ahead for American statecraft in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the emerging 'Pacific Century' and America's indispensable role in it."―John McCain, U.S. Senator

"In THE PIVOT, Campbell provides a deeply compelling rationale for refocusing American foreign policy priorities more on Asia. Surveying the wreckage of U.S. involvement in the Middle East over the last nearly twenty years, he provides a powerful guide for how to navigate the turbulent political waters of the Asia-Pacific, a region where American strategic engagement can make a deciding and decisive difference."―
Walter Isaacson, president and CEO, Aspen Institute, and author of Steve Jobs

"THE PIVOT demonstrates why Kurt Campbell has become America's go-to expert on Asia. The book masterfully explains what Campbell calls the operating system in Asia and how he worked to rebalance U.S. foreign policy to give more attention to China and the Asia-Pacific region. Campbell's greatest strength is that he understands all the regional players-Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam-as well as China. If America gets Asia right in coming years, Campbell and his 'pivot' deserve much of the credit. How do you say must-read in Chinese?"―
David Ignatius, columnist, Washington Post

"One may agree or disagree with Kurt Campbell's THE PIVOT . . . but one thing is clear: It is a timely contribution to a better understanding of the dilemmas inherent in the vital U.S.-China relationship."―
Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor

"It is difficult to overstate the importance of the Asia-Pacific to America's national security and prosperity. It is even more difficult to overstate Kurt Campbell's qualifications on this critical subject. Many have studied U.S. foreign policy toward Asia. Far fewer have set it. Kurt has done both with high honors."―
Graham Allison, director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, author of Rethinking America's Security: Beyond Cold War to New World Order

"As the chief architect of the Obama administration's pivot to Asia, Dr. Kurt Campbell served his country with distinction. In THE PIVOT, Dr. Campbell gives a comprehensive description of the evolution of U.S. policy toward Asia, captures the centrality of Asia to America's future, and makes a compelling argument as to the specific ways we can harness the potential of this dynamic region in the twenty-first century. This book should be required reading for policy makers and scholars alike."―
Richard Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State

"No region of the world will be more consequential for U.S. security and prosperity in the twenty-first century than the Asia-Pacific. THE PIVOT offers a rare combination of incisive insights and smart policy recommendations for how the United States should approach this critical region, now and in the future. Kurt Campbell's narrative is a rich tapestry of historical analysis, policy prescription, and personal anecdotes, woven together in a highly readable, sometimes provocative, and always interesting book. This is a must-read for anyone interested in America's future role in the world."―
Michèle Flournoy, CEO, Center for a New American Security, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

"Asia holds more than half the world's people including the second and third largest economies (China and Japan); the largest democracy (India); and the largest Muslim country (Indonesia). Kurt Campbell has played a central role in shaping American policy toward this vital region, and in THE PIVOT he skillfully guides us through the past, present, and future of this crucial relationship."―
Joseph S. Nye, Jr., distinguished service professor, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and author of Is the American Century Over?

"In THE PIVOT, Kurt Campbell, one of the nation's leading master strategists, makes a powerful case for America's sustained and forward-leaning engagement of Asia. As both intellectual architect and front-line diplomat for the Obama administration's 'pivot' to Asia, no one has a better view of the great historical forces and policy debates at play in this unfolding drama. THE PIVOT is both a witty and insightful firsthand account of America's emerging policy toward a rising Asia and a singularly eloquent statement of America's grand purposes in the world."―
John Ikenberry, Albert G. Milbank Professor of Political and International Affairs, and author of Liberal Leviathan

"Kurt Campbell is one of America's foremost diplomats on Asia. He has written a highly provocative account of the history, and future, of America's engagement with the Eastern Hemisphere. Importantly, his voice is bound to be influential in any future Clinton administration."―
Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister, Australia

"Balanced, constructive, and uniquely sensible, THE PIVOT is a must for those discussing, debating, or just thinking about America's role in the world. A thoughtful strategist, tested practitioner, and principal architect of rebalancing our foreign policy, Kurt Campbell pragmatically and convincingly drives home the foundations and imperative of America's continuing role in Asia and why Asia will continue to matter to the security and prosperity of the United States."―
Admiral Gary Roughead, former Chief of Naval Operations

"Campbell has captured the rising portent of Asia's expanding contributions to manufacturing, transportation, cuisine, and, yes, culture and music. This fascinating read is not only a cogent narrative of the long and twisting tale of U.S. engagement towards Asia, but also a valuable foundation for those seeking insight into what lies ahead for U.S. relations with this vital part of the world."―
Tim Westergren, founder, Pandora Music

"No modern American has contributed more to the ideas and plans which have driven the Obama administration's rebalancing of American national security policy to prioritize the Asia-Pacific than Kurt Campbell. Credit of course goes to principals: in this case, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But Kurt Campbell drove the innovative ideas and programs which gave the concept life. For a time, leaders in the region looked forward to a Campbell visit. Asian hosts knew they would be in receipt of serious policy acumen, not narrow American special pleading. His brand of diplomacy brought the relentless forward momentum of a heavy cruiser at flank speed. No one is better placed than Kurt Campbell to provide an authoritative guide to U.S.-Asia relations. This work will be required reading in every Asian capital."―
Kim Beazley, former Australian Ambassador to the United States

About the Author

Kurt M. Campbell is chairman and chief executive officer of the Asia Group, LLC, and served as the assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State from 2009 to 2013. For his service, he received the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award -- the nation's highest diplomatic medal -- and has been recognized with top national honors across Asia. He is chairman of the board at the Center for a New American Security, a non-resident fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center, on the board for Standard Chartered PLC, and is a member of the Aspen Strategy Group.

Dr. Campbell is the author or editor of ten books, including
Difficult Transitions: Why Presidents Fail in Foreign Policy at the Outset of Power and Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security. He is married to Dr. Lael Brainard, governor on the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and former under secretary of Treasury for International Affairs. Together, they live in Washington, D.C. with their three daughters.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1455568953
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Twelve; Illustrated edition (June 7, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781455568956
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1455568956
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

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Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the insightful narrative and timely perspective on the past, present, and future of the U.S.

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8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the insightful narrative and key points from an Asia specialist. The book provides useful anecdotes and commentary throughout, making it a great read and helpful for book club discussions.

"...and U.S. policy development generally, Kurt Campbell's narrative is insightful and enjoyable to read, providing anecdotes and commentary throughout..." Read more

"This is a great book for anyone interested in Asia or American foreign policy more broadly...." Read more

"Very enlightening thus far...." Read more

"This is an informative read and it really illustrates the Pivot...." Read more

3 customers mention "History"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's history. They find it provides a valuable and timely perspective on the past, present, and future of the U.S. It offers a quick overview and is a useful resource for getting a quick overview of the history.

"'The Pivot' is a valuable and timely perspective on the past, present, and future U.S. relationship with the Asia-Pacific region...." Read more

"...Foreign Service or Foreign Area Officers as a means to get a relatively quick history and overview, and provide some new ideas...." Read more

"Needs an editor. Is a combination of autobiography, history, and factbook...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2016
    'The Pivot' is a valuable and timely perspective on the past, present, and future U.S. relationship with the Asia-Pacific region. Based on the author's deep knowledge of the subject matter and personal experience as President Obama's and Secretary Clinton's top diplomat for Asia, the book builds the compelling case for the U.S. "strategic pivot" to the Asia-Pacific and outlines a nuanced strategy to build a comprehensive and sustainable American role in the region. Essential reading for policy-makers, regional experts, as well as those interested in foreign affairs and U.S. policy development generally, Kurt Campbell's narrative is insightful and enjoyable to read, providing anecdotes and commentary throughout which situates the policy in context. Overall, this is a well-researched and intellectually stimulating blue print for U.S. policy in Asia.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
    This is a great book for anyone interested in Asia or American foreign policy more broadly. The United States has been dragged into repeated conflicts in the Middle East while Asia, a prosperous region home to the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, too often receives insufficient attention. Campbell makes the case in eight chapters for why Asia should receive more focus. The first few chapters are a highly engaging focus on the statistics behind Asia’s rise and massive size as well as the history of American involvement there. The next few chapters focus on surveying Asia’s current moment of transition and on offering policy prescriptions that would allow the United States to reap the benefits of that rising region. The book then closes with some illuminating anecdotes from Campbell’s time at the heights of American diplomacy in Asia. I found it a fun and useful read and highly recommend it!
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
    Very enlightening thus far. A fair amount of repetition in the first fifty pages, perhaps because he was, in Richard Armitage's words, "the chief architect of the Obama administration's pivot to Asia" and felt the need to defend it from critics. However, my major complaint is Dr. Campbell's penchant for writing mile-long sentences. It is disconcerting to reach the end of an excessively long sentence and have to go back to the beginning to see the linkage. If too many cooks spoil the broth, guess what too many clauses in a sentence do.

    His effusive praise of Hillary Clinton led this reviewer to think he's campaigning for the job of Secretary of State. And given the importance of the continent that is his area of expertise, Kurt Campbell would not be an inappropriate choice.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2016
    This is an informative read and it really illustrates the Pivot. Many people should read it and others like it in order to understand why Asia is so essential to the U.S.'s foreign policy.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2016
    A good book for those not familiar with current Indo-Pacific events and policies. It is also a valuable "marketing" book to sell the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to those in Washington, D.C., and perhaps other non-Asia capitals around the world who may not understand what stands to be gained or lost if policies and priorities are not aligned appropriately. If you're curious about what the Rebalance or "Pivot" means, this is as good a resource as any out there, and considering the experience of the author, may be one of the best. For those who work in the region on Indo-Pacific policy, there isn't a great deal of new information or insight. I recommend this book for students or new Foreign Service or Foreign Area Officers as a means to get a relatively quick history and overview, and provide some new ideas.

    As a veteran Indo-Pacific foreign policy practitioner, I did not find any surprises or additional actions we can take. For instance, Mr. Campbell recommends a ten-point plan as a strategy, but many of his points are already in progress. For instance, his recommendation to bolstering and integrating alliances is ongoing. A slow and steady shift away from a wagon wheel of bilateral relationships towards tri-lateral or multilateral relationships reflect that is going on today and is a continuation of what has been policy for some of us for some time. The difference is that we are getting more traction now as the geopolitical balance changes and each nation adjusts as necessary. His recommendation to engage regional institutions is also already ongoing. Granted, under the Obama Administration, this has been more obvious, but only because he may have had the "luxury" to do so with events winding down in Southwest and Central Asia. His recommendations for implementation are also spot on with respect to the "power of balance," just showing up, and conducting/gardening. You'll have to read his book to understand some of those references.

    Although I have some experience with Mr. Campbell's work and reading some of the more official and mundane correspondence that we see on a day-to-day basis, this is the first time that I have actually read one of his books. I do appreciate that his conclusion is, in fact, a rather well written conclusion of the chapters and key points in his book. As many of us know, repetition is key to learning, and the flow from introduction, chapters, and conclusions is helpful in reinforcing his message.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2017
    The book was exceptionally well argued. The foreign policy framework that Dr. Campbell constructs is comprehensive, clear, and well considered. His prose is straightforward and accessible.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016
    Informative

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    1.0 out of 5 stars Bof...a flatterer
    Reviewed in France on October 15, 2017
    I am very sorry to have bought this book. There is much more information on dozens of blogs on the web. It is the book of a sycophant, a flatterer, and with so little geopolitical culture and which apparently one sole objective was to try to gain a position in the future government of Clinton. This of course did not happen. But apparently Trump is performing the same geopolitics ... funny.
  • Andrew Lord
    5.0 out of 5 stars Asia -- Center of the Action
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2016
    Kurt Campbell, a US State Department insider, has given us a comprehensive and highly accessible guide to how America plans to handle the rise of Asia and from that a New World Order. The 'Pivot' to Asia, widely announced five years ago, has gained little public recognition save for the occasional flare up in the Chinese-claimed South China Sea. The policy, however, is far more than that. It is to embrace a region that is 'home to more than half the world’s population, contains the largest democracy in the world (India), the second- and third-largest economies (China and Japan), the most populous Muslim-majority nation (Indonesia), and seven of the ten largest militaries. Yet, while Asia, fuelled by the rise of China, has been consolidating and moving forward, America has been locked, for more than a decade, into the Middle East and North Africa that in comparison are going nowhere. The plan now is to balance the focus on the catastrophes there with a region that is the leading destination for American exports, outpacing Europe by more than 50 percent. Campbell worked closely with Hillary Clinton on designing the Pivot when she was secretary of state. In the Oval Office she would certainly inject it with fresh impetus. Campbell has delivered a superb primer filled with detail, data and anecdotes --not least his lifting souvenirs from Air Force One in Myanmar.