U.S. caution on Syria raises regional questions

The United States' caution over launching any strike against the Syrian government over alleged use of chemical weapons has raised questions around the globe about the implications of a less interventionist U.S. foreign policy.

Wang Dong, an international relations professor at the elite Peking University:

"It's too early to say that the U.S. has already become less interventionist.

"If we look at historical patterns, when there are U.S. interests involved, whether or not there is strong domestic support or support from allies ... the U.S. will still intervene. Policymakers, including Chinese policymakers, have to be very careful and avoid drawing conclusions."

Narushige Michishita, associate professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan:

"If the United States ends up finding itself being forced to pour resources into the Middle East, there would be a higher risk of the U.S. telling countries in Asia they should take care of regional matters by themselves as much as they can. In general, Asian countries will be happier if the United States is not deeply involved in the Middle East.

source  reuters.com