But, though rhetoric matters in diplomacy, the pivot will be fatally undermined if Asians perceive the same sort of gap between America’s words and its actions that has become apparent in its Middle East policy (despite Kerry’s determined efforts to revitalize peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority). In particular, there is a gnawing fear that the US may yet choose the “G-2” option: a grand bargain with China for the two countries to decide Asia’s fate by themselves and over our heads.