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By More Than Providence: Grand Strategy and American Power in the Asia Pacific Since 1783
Soon after the American Revolution, the United States began to recognize the strategic significance of Asia and the Pacific and its vast material and cultural resources. Many asked whether the United States should partner with China, which operates at the center of Asia, or Japan, which is located in the middle of the Pacific. Where should the United States draw its defensive line, and how should it export democratic principles? In a history that spans the eighteenth century to the present, Michael J. Green follows the development of U.S. policy toward East Asia, identifying recurring themes in American statecraft that reflect the evolving nation's political philosophy and material realities.
Drawing on archives, interviews, and his own experience in the Pentagon and White House, Green finds one overarching concern driving U.S. policy toward East Asia: a fear felt by Americans that a rival power might use the Pacific to isolate and threaten the United States and prevent the ocean from becoming a conduit for the westward free flow of trade, values, and forward defense. By More Than Providence works through these problems from the perspective of history's major strategists and statesmen, from Thomas Jefferson to Alfred Thayer Mahan and Henry Kissinger. It records the fate of their ideas as they collided with the realities of the Far East and adds clarity to America's stakes in the region, especially when compared with those of Europe and the Middle East.
Drawing on archives, interviews, and his own experience in the Pentagon and White House, Green finds one overarching concern driving U.S. policy toward East Asia: a fear felt by Americans that a rival power might use the Pacific to isolate and threaten the United States and prevent the ocean from becoming a conduit for the westward free flow of trade, values, and forward defense. By More Than Providence works through these problems from the perspective of history's major strategists and statesmen, from Thomas Jefferson to Alfred Thayer Mahan and Henry Kissinger. It records the fate of their ideas as they collided with the realities of the Far East and adds clarity to America's stakes in the region, especially when compared with those of Europe and the Middle East.
760 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2017
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About the author
Michael J. Green
26 books17 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Michael Green is the Japan Chair and a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), as well as an associate professor of international relations at Georgetown University. He served as special assistant to the president for national security affairs and senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) from January 2004 to December 2005. He joined the NSC in April 2001 as director of Asian affairs with responsibility for Japan, Korea, and Australia/New Zealand. From 1997 to 2000, he was senior fellow for Asian security at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he directed the Independent Task Force on Korea and study groups on Japan and security policy in Asia. He served as senior adviser to the Office of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Department of Defense in 1997 and as consultant to the same office until 2000.
From 1995 to 1997, he was a research staff member at the Institute for Defense Analyses, and from 1994 to 1995, he was an assistant professor of Asian studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he remained a professorial lecturer until 2001. At SAIS, he was also associate executive director of the Foreign Policy Institute (1992–1994) and acting director of the Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies (1999–2000).
Dr. Green speaks fluent Japanese and spent over five years in Japan working as a staff member of the Diet of Japan, as a journalist for Japanese and American newspapers, and as a consultant for U.S. business. His major publications include Japan's Reluctant Realism (Palgrave/St. Martin's, 2001), The U.S.-Japan Alliance (Council on Foreign Relations, 1999), and Arming Japan (Columbia University Press, 1995).
Dr. Green graduated from Kenyon College with highest honors in history in 1983 and received his M.A. from Johns Hopkins SAIS in 1987 and his Ph.D. in 1994. He also did graduate work at Tokyo University as a Fulbright fellow and with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a research associate of the MIT-Japan Program. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Institute for International Security Studies.
Dr. Green is also an avid bagpipe player.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Michael Green is the Japan Chair and a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), as well as an associate professor of international relations at Georgetown University. He served as special assistant to the president for national security affairs and senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) from January 2004 to December 2005. He joined the NSC in April 2001 as director of Asian affairs with responsibility for Japan, Korea, and Australia/New Zealand. From 1997 to 2000, he was senior fellow for Asian security at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he directed the Independent Task Force on Korea and study groups on Japan and security policy in Asia. He served as senior adviser to the Office of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Department of Defense in 1997 and as consultant to the same office until 2000.
From 1995 to 1997, he was a research staff member at the Institute for Defense Analyses, and from 1994 to 1995, he was an assistant professor of Asian studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he remained a professorial lecturer until 2001. At SAIS, he was also associate executive director of the Foreign Policy Institute (1992–1994) and acting director of the Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies (1999–2000).
Dr. Green speaks fluent Japanese and spent over five years in Japan working as a staff member of the Diet of Japan, as a journalist for Japanese and American newspapers, and as a consultant for U.S. business. His major publications include Japan's Reluctant Realism (Palgrave/St. Martin's, 2001), The U.S.-Japan Alliance (Council on Foreign Relations, 1999), and Arming Japan (Columbia University Press, 1995).
Dr. Green graduated from Kenyon College with highest honors in history in 1983 and received his M.A. from Johns Hopkins SAIS in 1987 and his Ph.D. in 1994. He also did graduate work at Tokyo University as a Fulbright fellow and with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a research associate of the MIT-Japan Program. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Institute for International Security Studies.
Dr. Green is also an avid bagpipe player.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 19, 2020
Very detailed progression and analysis. There were two events that I wish were covered more thoroughly:
1. Carter’s ill-informed decision to pull troops from South Korea (while our intelligence estimates proved the North’s superiority)
2. The fallout of the US bombing the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.
Also two errors (that I found):
1. PACFLT HQ is in Makalapa, not “Macalapa”
2. 1995 rape of an Okinawan girl was committed by two Marines and one Navy Corpsman, not Vice versa.
Michael Green is also an admirer of John Lewis Gaddis (a good strategist). This should be a must-read for planners/analysts in the USINDOPACOM AOR.
1. Carter’s ill-informed decision to pull troops from South Korea (while our intelligence estimates proved the North’s superiority)
2. The fallout of the US bombing the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.
Also two errors (that I found):
1. PACFLT HQ is in Makalapa, not “Macalapa”
2. 1995 rape of an Okinawan girl was committed by two Marines and one Navy Corpsman, not Vice versa.
Michael Green is also an admirer of John Lewis Gaddis (a good strategist). This should be a must-read for planners/analysts in the USINDOPACOM AOR.
May 10, 2020
Mike's overview of the history of U.S. grand strategy toward Asia is as enjoyable as it is comprehensive. He finds a way to masterfully weave in extraordinary detail without sacrificing readability. What's more, he's surprisingly evenhanded in his evaluation of both Republican and Democratic administrations. He retains focus on broad themes even as circumstances, personalities, and details change from decade to decade and across multiple centuries in the book. The only disappointment, really, was that it was published when it was. A second edition after the Trump era would be a timely update!
July 26, 2020
This is an excellent and super comprehensive piece of research that gives a complete look at the US's China strategy until the Obama era. Green has a very nice writing style: interesting, packed full of knowledge yet not dry, and deeply personal in the sense that the author's voice always shines through despite this being a historical factual enterprise.
The reason for my rating is very personal. I wish I were a more patient person, but this is too comprehensive for me, who was reading this out of general interest. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who is researching the topic academically (at a graduate/postgraduate level), or in a policy position related to this topic.
The reason for my rating is very personal. I wish I were a more patient person, but this is too comprehensive for me, who was reading this out of general interest. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who is researching the topic academically (at a graduate/postgraduate level), or in a policy position related to this topic.
March 14, 2023
It's a pretty thorough and insightful book on aspects of the US grand strategy, but by no means exhaustive or complete. Other reviews have pointed out that it doesn't talk much about President Carter's attempt to withdrawal US forces from Korea or the impact on the region.
My main issues with the book is the focus on north Asia (specifically China and Japan) to the detriment of most everything else. Strategic challenges to the US and region are glossed over (climate change, energy, the IMF crisis of 1997-1998, the impact of the US's focus on VEOs after 9/11, the US special operations mission in the Philippines and its impact on US-PI relations, the impact of the US housing market collapse (and China's bailout of the US), and the integration of former UN protectorates into the US in the 1950s) are just a few examples of holes or missing strategic challenges. Mr. Green spends an inordinate amount of time on US military actions, and not enough on economic, diplomatic, cultural, and other issues.
The author, who does admit he worked in the Bush II White House, conflates himself with US policy "we did this, we agreed, etc..." instead of using language like "the US position was, the US did ....".
There is one other technical error in the book. The author refers to the US Army's 2d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division as a Stryker Brigade. When the unit was removed from Korea it was a heavy brigade combat team and didn't become a Stryker brigade until after it left Korea, deployed to Iraq and then was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO.
My main issues with the book is the focus on north Asia (specifically China and Japan) to the detriment of most everything else. Strategic challenges to the US and region are glossed over (climate change, energy, the IMF crisis of 1997-1998, the impact of the US's focus on VEOs after 9/11, the US special operations mission in the Philippines and its impact on US-PI relations, the impact of the US housing market collapse (and China's bailout of the US), and the integration of former UN protectorates into the US in the 1950s) are just a few examples of holes or missing strategic challenges. Mr. Green spends an inordinate amount of time on US military actions, and not enough on economic, diplomatic, cultural, and other issues.
The author, who does admit he worked in the Bush II White House, conflates himself with US policy "we did this, we agreed, etc..." instead of using language like "the US position was, the US did ....".
There is one other technical error in the book. The author refers to the US Army's 2d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division as a Stryker Brigade. When the unit was removed from Korea it was a heavy brigade combat team and didn't become a Stryker brigade until after it left Korea, deployed to Iraq and then was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO.
January 15, 2025
Green does an excellent job of tracking key US foreign policy beats in Asia over the course of history. However, I had 2 bones to pick with the author. First and foremost, I find it’s lacking a critical view of the United States. He glosses over or completely skips negative/harmful policies pursued by the US - most notably during the Cold War period. I could be mistaken due to my poor memory, but I don’t think there was any meaningful mention of covert action during that time period - which played a major role in shaping Southeast Asian dynamics. Second, I found the focus to be a little be too heavily focused on Northeast Asia.
June 30, 2019
Masterful historical and analytical account of the US Policy and Strategy in the Pacific. He used an approach I appreciated where he closes several chapters with opposing assessments from reknowned historical and contemporary political theorists. This offered a balanced review of the contributions of dozens of administrations.
May 6, 2020
Fantastic overview of the topic (and the first, according to the author, since before World War II). Does a great job of examining contradictions inherent in the US' foreign policy since the country's founding and offers lessons for future policymakers on how to mitigate problems that arise from these tensions.
December 20, 2017
An absolutely essential text for anyone interested in U.S. foreign policy and Asia in particular. A readable but thorough review of the contexts and decisions that have shaped U.S. policy in the region.
September 26, 2024
A great book on the important topic of the history of US-China relations. Really compelling narrative that looks at the cultural history as well as economic and strategic relations. Very important given the power relations between the two countries today.
August 9, 2025
A very good overview of 200 years of US/Asia policy. The author does a good job highlighting the constant tension around where the US wants to draw the line in the Pacific.
Stopping in 2017, he isn’t able to discuss enough the rise of China to provide any commentary on the present day.
Stopping in 2017, he isn’t able to discuss enough the rise of China to provide any commentary on the present day.
November 28, 2017
Reference
December 3, 2018
Probably the best place to start studying the United States' foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific.
December 11, 2022
Great book!
November 22, 2025
Foundational— should have read this long ago
January 8, 2023
This one actually makes an argument!
Unfortunately, while it is written with often astonishing attention to detail without losing readability, I felt that the author's political predilections are rather irritating. The intellectual adulation the author has for Nixon and Kissinger is tired and cliched, while his sanctimonious attitude towards Carter in contrast with his admiration for Reagan's bravado (leaving aside foreign policy messes as prominent as Iran-Contra) could hardly spell out his allegiance more explicitly. Flip to the blurb and - surprise! Michael J. Green is a Republican who served under Bush 43. Sigh.
On a more serious historical note, I felt that this book very much embodies that misguided sense of American dominance that so characterizes the disturbing liberal interventionist-neoliberal foreign policy consensus of the post-Cold War moment. If something worked or if a partnership strengthsn the author always suggests that it was because of the strengths (or flaws if vice versa) of US actors without considering the reverse. For example, giving Bush 43 the credit for China's relatively reticent foreign policy stance without considering Hu Jintao's own political position relative to elites, let alone the long tradition of "hide and bide" as practiced by post-Mao elites? Plus, the Republican smugness can really become obnoxious. "FTAAP had real momentum, while RCEP was sure to be bogged down"? 10 years later, this has not aged well. It gets worse ... imagine blaming Republican/McConnell's intransigence on "Obama's reluctance on free trade", a supremely ironic statement given that Obama represented the apogee of the Democratic turn away from Unionism and protectionism towards corporations and free trade.
Read this because the author's knowledge is impressive, but question the motives of what is said, too.
Unfortunately, while it is written with often astonishing attention to detail without losing readability, I felt that the author's political predilections are rather irritating. The intellectual adulation the author has for Nixon and Kissinger is tired and cliched, while his sanctimonious attitude towards Carter in contrast with his admiration for Reagan's bravado (leaving aside foreign policy messes as prominent as Iran-Contra) could hardly spell out his allegiance more explicitly. Flip to the blurb and - surprise! Michael J. Green is a Republican who served under Bush 43. Sigh.
On a more serious historical note, I felt that this book very much embodies that misguided sense of American dominance that so characterizes the disturbing liberal interventionist-neoliberal foreign policy consensus of the post-Cold War moment. If something worked or if a partnership strengthsn the author always suggests that it was because of the strengths (or flaws if vice versa) of US actors without considering the reverse. For example, giving Bush 43 the credit for China's relatively reticent foreign policy stance without considering Hu Jintao's own political position relative to elites, let alone the long tradition of "hide and bide" as practiced by post-Mao elites? Plus, the Republican smugness can really become obnoxious. "FTAAP had real momentum, while RCEP was sure to be bogged down"? 10 years later, this has not aged well. It gets worse ... imagine blaming Republican/McConnell's intransigence on "Obama's reluctance on free trade", a supremely ironic statement given that Obama represented the apogee of the Democratic turn away from Unionism and protectionism towards corporations and free trade.
Read this because the author's knowledge is impressive, but question the motives of what is said, too.
January 4, 2018
A good historical summary of America’s foreign policy in Asia
This is an outstanding book, and serves as a good introduction to the main threads of American foreign policy in Asia. Learnt a lot about the figures that made American foreign policy in Asia. Learnt a lot as well about the roles of the.
NSC, State, and Defense in policy making. A solid book for the American side of the Pacific.
This is an outstanding book, and serves as a good introduction to the main threads of American foreign policy in Asia. Learnt a lot about the figures that made American foreign policy in Asia. Learnt a lot as well about the roles of the.
NSC, State, and Defense in policy making. A solid book for the American side of the Pacific.
August 30, 2023
Exceptional. A rich account of US-Asian history that identifies and weaves the threads of policy continuity over time. Incisive insights and crisp prose.
August 22, 2025
By far Mike’s best work.
July 31, 2018
Overall, this is a very solid and informative work, although I left it a bit disappointed. My problems really began with the last quarter of it, when the issues in question become of current rather than historical interest. Green is smart enough to create a coherent-seeming, but to my mind selectively incomplete account.
The big omission is the rise of multinational corporations. When WalMart has a relationship with China that is the size of many a nation's economy, it seems deceptive to ignore corporate influence on decision-making. When opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership is labeled 'protectionist,' it just seems wrong: protectionism of old could be a uniting idea for labor and capital, but in the age of multinational corporations, the dispute has been less about tariffs, and more about the power of corporations vs. accountable governments.
This omission feels, ultimately, to be intellectually dishonest, in the way that Paul Krugman has questioned whether it is possible for a conservative to be intellectually honest.
The big omission is the rise of multinational corporations. When WalMart has a relationship with China that is the size of many a nation's economy, it seems deceptive to ignore corporate influence on decision-making. When opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership is labeled 'protectionist,' it just seems wrong: protectionism of old could be a uniting idea for labor and capital, but in the age of multinational corporations, the dispute has been less about tariffs, and more about the power of corporations vs. accountable governments.
This omission feels, ultimately, to be intellectually dishonest, in the way that Paul Krugman has questioned whether it is possible for a conservative to be intellectually honest.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews