Mongolia continues its rapid ascent in the strategic
playbook of the United States and the West. The U.S. views Mongolia through an
integrated lens balancing its economic interests with strategic concerns. As
the world’s fastest growing economy (GDP growth at 17.3 per cent in 2011),
Mongolia is an appealing target for foreign investors in sectors such as
mining, nuclear power, and technology. For Washington though, security still
trumps in Mongolia. The U.S. continues to view Mongolia as a credible partner in
an uncertain area filled with truculent neighbors.

In July, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
praised Ulaanbaatar for
being a model democracy in a region flush with kleptocratic regimes. Although
not identified, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan come to mind as repressive states in
the region and are rife with corruption. Clinton lauded Mongolia’s development
noting that the Central Asian country’s progress helps “dispel the myth that
democracy is a Western value.” During the visit, Clinton also used pointed
language aimed at China, asserting that prosperity is connected to a free
democratic system and the promotion of human rights.

Mongolia has long been part of Washington’s strategic calculus
in Central Asia and its importance has been magnified by the war in
Afghanistan. Currently there are more than 100 members of the Mongolian Armed
Forces serving in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.
Ulaanbaatar’s cooperation with NATO was formalized earlier this year when it
signed an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme – which is slated to
enhance interoperability with the alliance.

Mongolia also plays host to an annual gathering of militaries for “Khaan
Quest.” The Khaan Quest exercises for 2012 just ended in August and was
attended by 12 countries including the U.S., the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan
and Canada. Khaan Quest and NATO integration are two strong indicators of the
important role that Ulaanbaatar plays as a strategic partner to the U.S.

As the U.S. draws down its presence post-2014 in Afghanistan, it will look
to credible partners such as Mongolia to be a leading example of transparency,
democracy and solid governance in Central Asia.

This article was orginally published at the Asia Pacific Memo.