Need to strengthen alliances stressed

Building on alliances with countries in the region will be the thrust of the new U.S. Asia-Pacific strategy, the region's commander said. Navy. Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander the U.S. Pacific Command, said in a Defense Department release his plan for new defense strategy in the region will focus on strengthening the partnerships with Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand, . "These alliances are historic, and they underpin our strategy in the region," he said. "We are going to put more time and effort into making sure that those relationships are built for the future." Locklear said challenge will be to ensure such partnerships remain durable and satisfactory for the security challenges in the region. He said Pacom will also reach out to the other 30 nations in the region, particularly those that share the U.S. interest in security, economic prosperity and human rights.