~!!~The precepts underlying the liberal order~in particular, that no coastal state makes the rules governing use of the global commons~should be nonnegotiable for the United States// Accordingly, Washington must summon up resolve, resources, and allies to defend the commons rather than talk itself into believing Beijing will compromise away things it deems of crucial importance~things such as sovereignty over regional waters, skies, and land features// If U//S// leaders gird themselves to do the former, they might stand some chance of achieving the latter//©
~!!~In short, Obama administration chieftains must orient themselves to Beijing*s strategy while clarifying their own purposes and deciding how much they treasure those purposes// Only after completing the intellectual work and a gut~check can the administration design a strategy that deploys power to fulfill its goals// Executing the strategy will prove simple by contrast with devising it~although as military philosophers warn, accomplishing the simplest thing is difficult amid the hurly~burly of strategic competition and conflict//©