lizing or supplanting U.S. influence, China's expanding power is pushing most Asian countries closer to Washington — and elevating America's status. Uncle Sam's presence is still welcome because it prevents a regional power from dominating its neighbors and promotes strategic balance. Today, the more power

ations spent more on military force than European countries. If the US is going to devote more of a declining military budget towards Asia-Pacific, Uncle Sam's presence in Europe and the Middle East must clearly diminish. Perhaps it doesn't matter? The threat of a land invasion of continental Europe seems