Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s Diplomatic Journey Across Asia
Last week, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken embarked on an intensive diplomatic tour across Asia, visiting six nations in just six days. His journey culminated in a delightful gesture of camaraderie in Mongolia, where he participated in a traditional outdoor festival showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage through wrestling, archery, and equestrian events in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar.
During this vibrant celebration, the Prime Minister of Mongolia honored Mr. Blinken with a remarkable gift: a horse. In a lighthearted moment, Mr. Blinken affectionately named his new equine companion “Frontier,” while the Prime Minister captured the moment with a playful horse selfie, highlighting the growing warmth and friendship between Mongolia and the United States. This gesture underscores what officials from both countries refer to as their strong relationship, often labeled as the “third neighbor” policy, which positions the United States as an important ally amid the geographical influences of neighboring giants, China and Russia.
Mr. Blinken’s horse gift is part of a longstanding tradition, as previous U.S. officials have also received similar equestrian gifts from Mongolia. Notable recipients include Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who was gifted a horse named Celtic, President Donald J. Trump who received Victory, and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld who was given Montana. However, like his predecessors, Mr. Blinken will not be taking his new horse back across the Pacific Ocean, serving as a humorous reminder of the geographical reality that the U.S. does not share a border with Mongolia, unlike its two formidable neighbors.
Mongolia has adeptly navigated its place in a multipolar world. This is distinctly different from the unipolar dominance the United States experienced in the aftermath of the Cold War. Just weeks prior to Mr. Blinken’s visit, Mongolia demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation by hosting its annual peacekeeping exercise, Khaan Quest. This significant event brought together military personnel from various nations, including China, the United States, Turkey, India, Japan, South Korea, and Qatar, showcasing Mongolia’s strategic balancing act in the region.
