This essay overviews the many immediate critical challenges and opportunities related to the Asia-Pacific region facing the 111th Congress while also suggesting a longer-term strategic U.S.approach.

Congress and the administration must not only address specific Asian issues during this financial crisis but also develop a long-term agenda to manage rapid change in Asia.This will require conceptual adjustment, energetic and creative U.S.leadership, and international commitment at a time when the American public is disillusioned with conflict abroad, alarmed by economic distress at home, and more concerned about domestic than international affairs.Congress can play a critical role in promoting policies that allow the U.S.to shape and lead an emerging Pacific century, including strengthening the U.S.position by bolstering relations with core allies, reshaping international institutions to ensure that China and India assume major-power obligations as well as rights, intensifying engagement in Southeast Asia, and shaping a global agenda that addresses the public's concerns while maintaining the U.S.commitment to open markets, alliances with democracies, and multilateralism.