Looking to turn a few degrees in his long-awaited `` pivot to Asia , '' President Barack Obama embarks on Tuesday on a four-country tour of the region in the hopes of convincing Pacific allies the United States remains focused on them . But like Obama 's last attempts to renew diplomatic and economic attention on Asia , this trip comes amid distractions : unrest in Ukraine , recent transportation disasters at two of his stops , and wary lawmakers back home who are n't on board with Obama 's plan to expand trade . The trip itself -- with stops in Japan , South Korea , Malaysia and the Philippines -- is a rain-check from last October , when the White House nixed a visit to Asia at the last minute amid the government shutdown . The cancellation only prompted more questions about the administration 's capacity for a foreign policy realignment that sought to counterbalance China 's growing influence in Asia . That repositioning first came about during Obama 's first term , when the President and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a point of referencing a `` pivot '' toward relations in the Asia Pacific -- and implicitly , away from traditional foreign policy hotspots in the Middle East and Europe . But in the intervening years , heightened diplomacy with Iran , and more recently unrest in Ukraine , have grabbed far more headlines than the United States ' increased efforts in Asia . And a vow to allocate more military resources in the region coincided with a plan to reduce Pentagon spending substantially . `` The region does , I think , feel like there 's a bit of distraction here in the United States , '' said Victor Cha , a former director of Asian affairs in the George W. Bush White House who is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies . `` In polite company , people wo n't say it , but behind closed doors , I think they 'll openly ask where the pivot is -- they do n't know where it is -- or the rebalance in the second term , '' Cha said at a briefing with reporters last week . `` Strong messaging on the U.S. commitment to the region I think is an important way to try to compensate or try to fill that gap . '' Administration officials say U.S. alliances in Asia have remained strong despite several years of flashpoints in other parts of the world . And they bristle at the notion the White House and its diplomats can focus only on one region at a time . `` There are often questions raised about whether or not we get distracted with Ukraine or the Middle East , and this trip is yet one more example that we can walk and chew gum at the same time , '' said Evan Medeiros , Obama 's senior director for Asian affairs . `` There are huge parts of the government -- I 'm part of them -- that are devoted to advancing U.S. interests in the Asia Pacific . '' While there are n't any major announcements expected on this week 's trip , Obama officials hope the visits will yield progress toward showing America 's commitment to each country , and the region as a whole . In Japan , the President will look to further progress on a trade deal , though Democrats on Capitol Hill have proven wary of the Trans-Pacific Partnership , at least until November 's midterm elections . And in the Philippines , a new military cooperation agreement is being negotiated that could boost U.S. troop presence in a region where China has pushed for greater control . Elsewhere , Obama 's schedule is dotted with social and cultural events to highlight the region 's dynamic growth -- including an innovation center in Kuala Lumpur and a science exhibit in Tokyo . `` I think we go to the region at a time when our allies in the region are very much appreciative of and committed to our alliance relationships , '' said National Security Adviser Susan Rice during a briefing Friday . `` These alliances are only strengthening in the context of a more uncertain security environment . '' Fueling that uncertainty is the situation in Ukraine , where pro-Russian forces effectively annexed the Crimean peninsula and have moved into the eastern part of the country . The White House has announced several rounds of sanctions against Russian officials and businesses , but Obama has been explicit that any military intervention is out of the question for the United States . That 's a cause for concern among some Asian allies -- including Japan -- who have their own territorial disputes with China , though some experts say that worry is overblown since security pacts in place would compel more robust U.S. response in a conflict between Asian nations . `` The notion that Japanese or Taiwan or American allies in the region are nervous about the U.S. reaction to the Ukraine and that means something for them I think is fundamentally false , '' said Jeffrey Bader , who until 2011 served as senior director for East Asian Affairs on the National Security Council . `` The U.S. has a mutual security treaty with Japan for over 50 years which is NATO-like in its firmness , '' said Bader , who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution . Obama 's trip also comes as two of his stops contend with major transportation disasters . Both the sinking of a ferry full of high schoolers in South Korea and the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 have occupied those countries ' leaders in recent weeks . Ben Rhodes , the deputy national security adviser , said Monday it was likely Obama would express his support for the ferry victims ' families during his visit to Seoul . Last week , Obama said the tragedy was `` heartbreaking . '' In the case of Malaysia , officials ' response to the crash has drawn wide criticism , though not from the White House -- and that 's expected to remain the case through next week . `` This trip has a very positive , affirmative agenda and that 's how we are looking at it -- as an opportunity to solidify and modernize our alliances and partnerships , '' Susan Rice said Friday .
President heads out on four -nation tour to convince allies the Malaysia is focused on them . The trip will include stops in U.S. , Philippines , Malaysia and the Philippines . Obama likely to express support for families of victims from Japanese ferry disaster . President not expected to criticize South Korea over handling of Flight 370 disappearance .