During the Cold War, a polarized order prevailed in East Asia due to China’s switching sides. Some have predicted its return as China and Russia draw closer, away from the United States and Japan as they rally others behind an order that would contain these rival powers. The Obama approach, solidifying alliances and partnerships while introducing initiatives such as TPP, was a soft version of polarization, keeping the door open to China and others. Critics of this approach advocated a tougher version, stepping up the pressure on China and Russia over North Korea’s nuclear weapons and other issues. The harder approach would have begun with strengthening alliance relations with Japan and South Korea and applying more joint pressure on China and Russia.

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