A quiet transformation is underway in the United States military that has significant implications for U.S. foreign policy, and relations with Asia in particular. Strategists increasingly recognize that military options must go beyond combat operations. Defense Secretary Robert Gates explained the new approach in a July speech: “The overall posture and thinking of the United States armed forces has shifted – away from solely focusing on direct American military action, and towards new capabilities to shape the security environment in ways that obviate the need for military intervention in the future.” He is even ready to put the Pentagon’s money where his mouth is: He advocates shifting resources to other agencies to ensure a more balanced approach to so-called stability operations.