Veteran German diplomat and Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger has said that the new U.S. defense strategy marks the end of a decade of military over-expansion shaped by the aftermath of September 11/2001.
After a decade of heavy U.S. military involvement related to the "War on Terror," the United States today is neither able nor willing to maintain its global presence with such intensity, he said in an article published in German daily Handelsblatt on Friday.
President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had unveiled on January 5 a new strategic guidance that reflects the United States' 21st century defense needs and secures its leadership for the future.
In an unusual appearance at the Pentagon to introduce a new defense strategy, Obama said with the tides of war receding in Afghanistan and the military commitment in Iraq ending it was time to consider the nation's future needs.
Obama said he was committed to avoiding the mistakes of the past while crafting defense spending priorities based on the country's strategic needs.
He called for a leaner but more efficient military with a greater emphasis in Asia and the Pacific Ocean as well as building on the success that NATO forces showed in assisting rebels in Libya.
While Obama is holding up America's claims of global leadership, like all of his predecessors did, he no longer pursues the ambition to shape the world in America's own image no matter the cost, according to Ischinger. The President will focus on strengthening the U.S. economy - a necessity if he wants to be re-elected, he added.
The former German Ambassador to the U.S. and UK says it is no surprise that the strategy is making clear that America does not want to launch any further large-scale military operations like the one in Afghanistan or Iraq in the foreseeable future.
In view of China's rise and the economic significance of Asia as a whole, the strategy makes clear that the U.S. is making Asia and the Pacific its priority regions.
The former German Deputy Foreign Minister is of the view that the United States' decision to move closer to Asia and the Pacific will be a useful "wake-up call" for Europe.
Ischinger cautions that Europe cannot rely on the United States to stand by and assist it should the need arise, but improving the common capabilities of Europe will only be the first step towards renewing the transatlantic partnership to endure the challenges of the 21st century.
He concludes the article titled "The Pacific President's Strategy - Goodbye Europe?" by saying that "in a world where liberal democracy and market economy are challenged by state capitalist, authoritarian systems, the two pillars of the West, Europe and the United states, will remain natural allies."
Ischinger is currently global head of government relations, Allianz SE, Munich.
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Market Analysis
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.