Article updated: 11/17/2012 6:49 PM

Personal, strategic motivations for Obama in Asia

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President Barack Obama leaves the White House Saturdy in Washington for a trip to Southeast Asia.

Associated Press

President Barack Obama steps from the Marine One helicopter before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to a four-day trip to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Associated Press

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President Obama, who was born in Hawaii and lived in Indonesia as a child, has called himself America's first "Pacific president." The region gives him an opportunity to open up new markets for U.S. companies, promote democracy and ease fears of China's rise by boosting U.S. military presence in area.