Asian Partners

As the United States rebalances to the Asia-Pacific region, Asian allies should work to become more engaged in U.S. challenges around the world, according to a senior defense official.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Derek Chollet, speaking Thursday at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event in Washington, said Asian partners could become more involved in problems in North Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan and other locations.

While many Asian countries have stepped up in some of those arenas, "I think having our Asian allies more engaged in trying to deal with some of the security problems emanating from other parts of the world would be important as well," he said.

"One thing that is very clear is although the United States remains the most powerful country in the world and we have a unique role, and we are indispensable, we can't do it alone," Chollet added. "We need all the help we can get."

During his speech, Chollet stressed that despite the Obama administration's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, it remains committed to its obligations elsewhere in the world. And he stressed the transatlantic alliance remains at the heart of U.S. interests.