Posted on 09/14/2017 8:14:25 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
It has become conventional wisdom to prematurely claim that the days of American presence in Asia Pacific are numbered, and that the region will eventually be incorporated into Sino-centric system where, of course, Beijing will be ascendant.
Proponents of this argument are quick to point out the halting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Obama’s Pivot to Asia, which failed to come to fruition. It is true that America’s relative influence is declining and its ability to have an impact on internal developments among the region’s actors will be limited. But is America ready to exit the region, and are allies in the Pacific willing to live without her presence?
The answer is: hold your horses. America will remain in the region for quite a while.
For the sake of a fair argument, Beijing indeed has carried out rather successful economic policies to attract its smaller neighbors, including those who have for decades been under America’s umbrella. Among the most noteworthy achievements is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) which opts for reducing the influence of institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as accelerating Beijing’s wider economic ambitions.
Furthermore, the collapse of the TPP has created a vacuum which will most likely be filled by a new proposed trade agreement: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The purpose of the deal is to promote trade relations between ASEAN countries and six partner states: Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and South Korea. Needless to say, China has been vehemently advocating for the materialization of the project.
But does China’s economic integration alone signify a fundamental change in regional geopolitics where American presence is seen as obsolete or unwelcome?
Yes, if you only ask China.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
The whole premise goes down in smoke and want no repeats in our time or any time after.
The return of the SEATA? Perhaps?
Think “Tri-Lateral-Commission” Europe (USSR)...North and South America (USA)......Asia (CHINA). Does it make sense now? The toss up? Africa and the Middle East.
Our fleet is no longer capable of serving in the Pacific.
Our enemies have a perfect strategy.....buy an old used container ship or tanker or other massively giant ship that is capable of only making 10 knots, and use it to sneak up on our ships in broad daylight and ram them.
Their trial runs have worked perfectly!
The US navy used to be a proud organization. And capable of defending the US interests in the Pacific. Now it is a worldwide joke.
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