Asian Ascendency?



Chinese Naval Vessels in South China Sea

 As all RTP&GGrs know, one of the US's biggest foreign policy worries is the potential for China to become the dominant player in East Asia and the Pacific.
Now, it appears that the Obama administration is responding to that threat.  I'm not sure what 2500 troops are supposed to do in Australia practically, but I'm sure this is a good symbolic statement that we don't intend to vacate the Western Pacific.

Investor's Business Daily may be overstating how positive this move is taken in by other East Asian countries, but I bet not: just as the famous observation went during the Cold War: "the Soviet Union is the only country in the world surrounded by hostile communist states", so China is the only nation in the world surrounded by hostile Asian states (OK, they're not the only one).  And most of the Asian nations surrounding China are pretty powerful in their own right too.  The important point is not the number of troops being forward-positioned, it is the fact that the East Asian countries are eager for our support, both in the trade agreements and in the military posturing.  They look to us, not China to secure their economic and military safety.

The fact that we did this in spite of the heavy reliance we have on China to finance our debt shows that the Obama administration is a little more bold than I expected, or that our debt financing by China is not considered too significant a leverage over us by our government.  An interesting move.  Lots to quote from here, all good:

On his visit to Hawaii, Bali and Australia, Obama announced that 2,500 U.S. troops would be stationed in northern Australia, a move welcomed with open arms not just by Australia but across the Pacific.

Obama also announced that the "broad outlines" of the Trans-Pacific Partnership eight-nation free trade zone were advancing, with major new nations — Japan, Canada and Mexico seeking entry — a big vote of confidence in America from a region that accounts for 60% of world trade. The State Department, meanwhile, announced a big, generous aid package for flood-ravaged Thailand.

Coming on the heels of Obama's signature on the U.S.-South Korea free trade treaty, the signal is unmistakable: America's back after a long period of neglect, and "We're here to stay," as Obama said.

No wonder Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, couldn't conceal her delight.

This article shows that there is much more than this forward-basing of troops going on that could be perceived as aggressive from China's point of view.  Read the whole thing, and it's good to see we still have a bit of a spine.

School Sucks

The republican students at Cal Berkley (yes, they exist) held an interesting little experiment on their campus. They do it in protest of the proposed bill Sb 185. The bill would base tuition rates on race for UC Berkley. Watch this video and see the treatment that they recieve from their student body and faculty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5WnMgkUVY&feature=related

I witnessed something similar on PSU's campus. A guy named "Shawn the Baptist" was preaching at the school's park. He was cussed at by some hippies even though Shawn was being totally peacefull. But these hippies can peacefully put on their homosexual parades on campus without any negative feedback. They can Occupy streets on campus and stop traffic while people applaud them...disgusting.

Saber Rattling: Is it time for the next big Mid-East Confrontation?

Hmmm...: Within the space of two days, all these articles come out:

From Israel:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to rally support in his cabinet for an attack on Iran, according to government sources.

From the UK:

Britain's armed forces are stepping up their contingency planning for potential military action against Iran amid mounting concern about Tehran's nuclear enrichment programme, the Guardian has learned.

The Ministry of Defence believes the US may decide to fast-forward plans for targeted missile strikes at some key Iranian facilities. British officials say that if Washington presses ahead it will seek, and receive, UK military help for any mission, despite some deep reservations within the coalition government.

And from rightcheer in Amurrica:

As the International Atomic Energy Agency prepares to release its latest report on Iran's nuclear program, an Obama administration official said Thursday that the Islamic regime has a credibility problem.

"Iran, over many years, has been unable to demonstrate the peaceful intent of its nuclear program," Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes told reporters in Cannes, France, where President Obama was attending the G20 summit."

more from The Guardian via Hot Air:

Britain’s armed forces are stepping up their contingency planning for potential military action against Iran amid mounting concern about Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme, the Guardian has learned.
The Ministry of Defence believes the US may decide to fast-forward plans for targeted missile strikes at some key Iranian facilities. British officials say that if Washington presses ahead it will seek, and receive, UK military help for any mission, despite some deep reservations within the coalition government.
In anticipation of a potential attack, British military planners are examining where best to deploy Royal Navy ships and submarines equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles over the coming months as part of what would be an air and sea campaign.
They also believe the US would ask permission to launch attacks from Diego Garcia, the British Indian ocean territory, which the Americans have used previously for conflicts in the Middle East.

I for one say it's about damn time! Wag that dog Barry! Time go for your second violation of the War Powers Act!
Bombs Away, Barry!