On the one hand, Obama announces that we will "rebalance [defense priorities] toward the Asia-Pacific region." On the other, he supports cutting our navel fleet which is key in the Pacific.
Here's an excerpt from a Washington Times editorial:
The decline of American power in the age of Obama is sparking new ambition in the Pacific Rim. Last month, the People’s Liberation Army commenced sea trials for China’s new carrier, and Gen. Luo Yuan of China’s Academy of Military Science said in July that Beijing needs at least three such ships “so we can defend our rights and our maritime interests effectively.” India and Japan also are beefing up their naval air arms.Click here to read more.
Given the impending shrinkage of the U.S. fleet and the rise of China, it’s a smart move for Asian democracies to build up their defenses to check the red dragon. The Pacific may not be an American lake for much longer.
1 comment:
The result of these cuts will be that we are no longer able to control the world's seas. This will have several very bad effects, the first of which is to encourage regional wars. Tinpot and other dictators will fill the vacuum with their own forces and take the opportunity to settle old scores and seize new territory. It will also have a disastrous effect on the ability of American businesses to trade worldwide, as totalitarian/authoritarian nations will step in and demand preference for their products and services. People like Ron Paul who think that we can step back from the world and everything will continue on as before are simply deluded.
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