--- title: ASEAN: Obama's Rebalancing to Asia Falters in Laos description: It may have been Barack Obama’s first trip to sleepy Laos, but American foreign policy still haunts this landlocked Southeast Asian nation canonical: https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/ author: Charlie Campbell article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-09-07T08:01:58.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:59:32.301Z article:section: World og:title: Obama's 'Rebalancing' to Asia Falters in Sleepy Laos og:description: American foreign policy still haunts the landlocked Southeast Asian nation og:url: https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfcfa7c00eb6dc857/6988a503428a9eccf7cd428b/gettyimages-599803568.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: LAOS-US-DIPLOMACY-ASEAN og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Obama's 'Rebalancing' to Asia Falters in Sleepy Laos twitter:description: American foreign policy still haunts the landlocked Southeast Asian nation twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfcfa7c00eb6dc857/6988a503428a9eccf7cd428b/gettyimages-599803568.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Obama's 'Rebalancing' to Asia Falters in Sleepy Laos > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=a12b3cc0-a951-4a52-8441-07cbda49246d&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: Rodrigo Duterte 'Regrets' His Remark About President Obama [Watch (HLS stream): Rodrigo Duterte 'Regrets' His Remark About President Obama](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/FOGX4t0T.m3u8) (1:55)  _Published 2016-09-06. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed regret Tuesday over his “son of a bitch” remark while referring to President Barack Obama._  by [Charlie Campbell / Vientiane](https://time.com/author/charlie-campbell/)  ## Charlie Campbell / Vientiane Editor at Large Sep 7, 2016 8:01 AM UTC  U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise visitor center in Vientiane, Laos, on Sept. 7, 2016 U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise visitor center in Vientiane, Laos, on Sept. 7, 2016Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images  by [Charlie Campbell / Vientiane](https://time.com/author/charlie-campbell/)  ## Charlie Campbell / Vientiane Editor at Large Sep 7, 2016 8:01 AM UTC It may have been Barack Obama’s first trip to sleepy Laos — and indeed, the first by any sitting U.S. President — but American foreign policy [still haunts](http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2040323,00.html) this landlocked Southeast Asian nation. U.S. forces covertly dropped 2 million tons of ordnance here during the Vietnam War, making this communist backwater of barely 7 million people the world’s most heavily bombed country. Today, unexploded cluster bombs and mines intended to disrupt North Vietnamese supply routes continue to kill and maim — especially in rural areas, where curious children stumble across tennis ball-sized munitions. At this week’s [Association of Southeast Asian Nations](http://time.com/4479800/obama-duterte-dispute-risks-overshadowing-southeast-asian-summit/) (ASEAN) summit, Obama attempted to exorcise some of these ghosts. “Given our history here, I believe that the United States has a moral obligation to help Laos heal,” Obama told an audience in the Laotian capital Vientiane, committing an additional [$90 million](http://time.com/4479692/u-s-pledges-90-million-to-clear-unexploded-ordinances-in-laos/) over the three years toward removing unexploded ordnance. **Read More:** [_How Deadly Weapons Continue to Rule Daily Life in Laos_](http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2040323,00.html) But as Obama tried to heal old wounds, new ones opened — illustrating both the lingering and fresh challenges of his faltering “[rebalancing](http://time.com/4344515/obama-asia-trip-vietnam-japan-embargo-hiroshima/)” to Asia. On Tuesday, new Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte [expressed “regret”](http://time.com/4479698/duterte-obama-regret-remark/?xid=homepage) that he called Obama a “son of a whore,” after the U.S. Commander in Chief stated his intention to raise the 2,000 [extrajudicial killings](http://time.com/4462352/rodrigo-duterte-drug-war-drugs-philippines-killing/) of Duterte’s “drug war” during talks. Although Obama downplayed the spat, his team canceled the scheduled meeting. It was high drama unfamiliar to Vientiane, a low-rise city of French-built boulevards studded with Buddhist temples, where Soviet hammer and sickle flags flutter outside iPhone repair shops. ASEAN’s most isolated state is also one of its most authoritarian, though Laos was thrown into the international spotlight when it was made bloc chair for 2016\. This also made it the venue for Obama’s [last attempt to woo](http://time.com/4463146/next-president-asia-policy/) a region increasingly beholden to rival superpower China before he departs the Oval Office. **Read More:** [_The Killing Time: Inside Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Drugs_](http://time.com/4462352/rodrigo-duterte-drug-war-drugs-philippines-killing/) Faced with a mounting budget deficit, and with the [fracking revolution](http://time.com/3614016/america-fracking-low-oil-prices/) making disentanglement from a roiling Middle East a real possibility, the White House announced a political, military and economic “rebalancing” to Asia in 2012\. But four years later, the reality is simmering conflict in the [South China Sea](http://time.com/4421293/asean-beijing-south-china-sea-cambodia-philippines-laos/), entrenched authoritarianism across Southeast Asia and stillborn efforts to boost business ties. Moreover, critics say that Washington’s preoccupation with countering Beijing’s influence has undermined support for core American values, such as democracy, electoral rigor and human rights. “The rebalancing is a complete failure on multiple levels,” says Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia expert at National Taiwan University. “Obama has left a worsening authoritarian legacy. But they couldn’t care less because it’s all about China.” Certainly, Southeast Asia has regressed politically over the course of the “rebalance,” with the notable exception of Burma (officially called Myanmar), which has moved toward [qualified democracy](http://time.com/4275928/burma-myanmar-civilian-government-challenges/). A military junta has [run Thailand](http://time.com/4442731/thailand-new-consitution-referendum-vote/) since a May 2014 coup d’état. Malaysia’s opposition leader is once again behind bars, while Prime Minister [Najib Razak](http://time.com/4363930/mahathir-mohamad-malaysia-najib-razak/) stands accused of embezzling $700 million of state funds. (He denies any wrongdoing). Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos remain autocratic, with the 2012 disappearance of award-winning Lao activist Sombath Somphone still unexplained in the latter. **Read More:** [_The New Head of the U.S. Pacific Command Talks to TIME About the Pivot to Asia and His Asian Roots_](http://time.com/3895434/admiral-harry-harris-us-pacific-command-china-japan-asia/) Yet the White House has pushed increased engagement with all these states. In May, Obama lifted a 50-year-old arms embargo with Vietnam. He did this even though key civil-society leaders were detained on their way meet him in Hanoi. Obama raised the issue, though still inked the deal. “This was a necessary step politically as the conservatives in Vietnam basically made it nonnegotiable,” says Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor at Australia’s University of New South Wales. Of course, that deal was never really about Vietnam. Washington needed enhanced relations with Hanoi to counter China’s [expansive territorial claims ](http://time.com/4412191/nine-dash-line-9-south-china-sea/)and militarization of rocks and reefs in the South China Sea. And for Obama, that fact looms larger than detained activists. “We should not mistake our foreign policy as an instrument to bring about improvements in human rights,” says Stapleton Roy, a former U.S. ambassador to China and Indonesia. “We can only play a marginal role from outside.” **Read More:** [_Mahathir Mohamad on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak: ‘He Should Step Down’_](http://time.com/4363930/mahathir-mohamad-malaysia-najib-razak/) The [military component](http://time.com/4186450/u-s-defense-strategy-asia-pacific-study/) of Obama’s “rebalance” always came first. Owing to drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the White House has managed to reduce overall military spending while still remaining committed in the Asia-Pacific. The goal to have 60% of U.S. naval forces in that theater has almost been reached. Enhanced troop and ship rotations have been agreed with Philippine naval bases, while Singapore and East Malaysia are also hosting U.S. vessels. Even the navy of Cambodia, a staunch ally of Beijing, was recently entertained on a U.S. aircraft carrier. ### Adrift in the South China Sea on a Boat Called ‘Wonder Boy’  The "Wonder Boy" a 36-foot bamboo outrigger boat, on which TIME's East Asia bureau chief Hannah Beech and photographer Chiara Goia, made their voyage to the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, May 10, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Hannah at the dock before embarking on the four day voyage, May 7, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  The "Wonder Boy" prepares to set sail, May 7, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Approaching the Philippine controlled Flat Island (aka Patag Island) in the South China Sea, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A soldier takes a dip in the water off the Philippine controlled Flat Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Seven Filipino soldiers walk with their dogs along the shoreline of Flat Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in one of the buildings on Flat Island May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A gun rests in one of the buildings that houses the soldiers living on Flat Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A Chinese boat is seen off the coast of Flat Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A soldier stands by binoculars , used for monitoring passing vessels off the coast of Flat Island, in the South China Sea, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A soldier outside one of the two buildings on Flat Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Soldiers play basketball on Nanshan Island (aka Lawak Island) another of the Spratly Islands, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Birds on Nanshan Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Soldiers in the kitchen area on Nanshan Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  The lights of boats are seen from the coral reef of Nanshan Island, May 8, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  A tuna fishing boat from General Santos City in Mindanao, gives the "Wonder Boy" help with directions, May 9, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Hannah waits for coordinates from the adjacent fishing boat, for the location of the Sierra Madre, May 9, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  Dawn over the South China Sea, May 10, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME  View of the South China Sea on route back to Rizal, Palawan, Philippines, May 10, 2016. Chiara Goia for TIME But to soften the military aspect of the “rebalance” there needed to be an economic component. This is the [Trans-Pacific Partnership](http://time.com/4435467/president-obama-tpp-singapore-lee-hsien-loong/) (TPP) free-trade pact, which has been signed by a dozen nations, including four in ASEAN so far. Yet the deal has stalled in Congress, and both candidates for November’s presidential elections — Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump — are TPP skeptics. “TPP is a major setback as that was the attempt to offset the military side of the rebalance,” says Thayer. **Read More:** [_Just Where Exactly Did China Get the South China Sea Nine-Dash Line From?_](http://time.com/4412191/nine-dash-line-9-south-china-sea/) Without TPP, U.S. investment in Asia will struggle to compete. Anthony Nelson, a director at the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, says American companies have $226 billion invested in ASEAN, which is more than they have in China, India and Japan combined. However, China had $400 billion invested in ASEAN in 2015\. “There’s no question that the Chinese are closer … and incredibly important partner of every ASEAN country,” says Nelson. [Beijing has the wherewithal](http://time.com/4457044/xi-jinping-one-belt-one-road-obor-south-china-sea-economic-trade-business/) to build dams in Laos, oil pipelines in Burma and rail routes through Indonesia. And, because of its geographical proximity, China directly benefits from the enhanced connectivity. Unable to compete in grand infrastructure projects, the U.S. must foster a trade environment where American companies can source materials and manufacture across much of Asia with minimal tariff restrictions. Other than his opposition to TPP, a Trump presidency will be a leap into the unknown for regional engagement, with the Republican candidate vowing to cut “a good deal” with North Korea as well as to force allies to pay for U.S. defense assistance. Clinton, by contrast, made significant inroads during multiple trips to the region as Obama’s Secretary of State. “When \[Clinton\] was Secretary of State, soft power issues were more on the agenda, and she actually promoted things like women’s rights,” says Welsh. **Read More:** [_China’s Xi Jinping Talks Up ‘One Belt, One Road’ as Keynote Project Fizzles_](http://time.com/4457044/xi-jinping-one-belt-one-road-obor-south-china-sea-economic-trade-business/) But even Clinton will find herself constrained by America’s problematic legacy in Asia. Other than the Laos campaign, there were carpet bombing in Cambodia, the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam, and CIA support for Indonesia’s coup under Suharto in the 1960s. In May, Obama became the first sitting U.S. President to [visit Hiroshima](http://time.com/4350339/barack-obama-hiroshima-speech-full-text/), where the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb in 1945\. Japanese opposition to U.S. military bases is building. When Duterte lashed out at Obama, he spat: “We have long ceased to be a colony.” Of course, Beijing also has baggage with its neighbors, and anti-Chinese resentment is building, especially over the East and [South China Seas](http://time.com/4397808/south-china-sea-us-unclos/). This week, Duterte raised alarm at Chinese barges with cranes being spotted in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, suspecting that Beijing may attempt to militarize the reefs as it has already done in the similarly disputed Spratly Islands. Despite previously advocating reconciliation with China, and agreeing to [top-level talks](http://time.com/4449796/philippines-south-china-sea-talks-diplomacy/) in Manila and Beijing, Duterte said any confrontation over the islands would be “bloody.” **Read More:** [_New Silk Road Could Change Global Economics Forever_](http://time.com/3893977/new-silk-road-global-economics/) As such, repairing relations between the U.S. and Philippines after this latest spat will take on new significance — even if that requires ignoring the bullet-riddled corpses piling up on Philippine streets. For Roy, this is justified for the greater good of preventing a region being dominated by Beijing. “Our presence encourages responsible rather than coercive behavior by China,” he says. “That’s essentially what the ‘rebalancing’ strategy is all about.” Welsh sees things differently: “We should be working to distinguish why the U.S. is different from China, which has to do with the idea of human rights and democracy.” ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/"},"headline":"Obama's 'Rebalancing' to Asia Falters in Sleepy Laos","datePublished":"2016-09-07T08:01:58.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:59:32.301Z","description":"A regional summit in Laos was Obama’s last chance to woo a region increasingly beholden to rival superpower China before he departs the Oval Office","url":"https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/","keywords":["Laos","Obama"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfcfa7c00eb6dc857/6988a503428a9eccf7cd428b/gettyimages-599803568.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Charlie Campbell / Vientiane"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfcfa7c00eb6dc857/6988a503428a9eccf7cd428b/gettyimages-599803568.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"LAOS-US-DIPLOMACY-ASEAN","caption":"LAOS-US-DIPLOMACY-ASEAN","creditText":"Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/laos/","name":"Laos"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/","name":"Obama's 'Rebalancing' to Asia Falters in Sleepy Laos"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Rodrigo Duterte 'Regrets' His Remark About President Obama","description":"Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed regret Tuesday over his “son of a bitch” remark while referring to President Barack Obama.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FOGX4t0T/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2016-09-06T15:00:30.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/FOGX4t0T.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/","duration":"PT1M55S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4481641/asean-summit-laos-obama/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```