There are important reasons for the distinct yet significant course adjustments in American and Western foreign policies, which are currently focused on Middle Eastern and Chinese "hot spots." In early 2012, the United States "pivoted" to make the Far East its military and strategic first priority, thereby downgrading the Middle East. This change in priorities has been accompanied by a curtailed military budget and the end of the two-war doctrine.In Hot Spots, Amitai Etzioni argues that pivoting towards the Far East is premature and flawed in principle. He argues that the true hot spots continue to be in the Middle East.
