Posted on 10/26/2015 1:46:41 PM PDT by amorphous
For anyone who might still be somehow unaware, the US is currently in a superpower staring match with both Russia and China. The conflict in Syria has put Moscow back on the geopolitical map (so to speak), creating an enormous amount of tension with Washington whose regional allies have been left to look on in horror as Russian airstrikes and an Iranian ground incursion dash hopes of ousting President Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, in The South China Sea, Beijing has built 3,000 acres of new sovereign territory atop reefs in the Spratlys and although the reclamation effort itself isn’t unique, the scope of it most certainly is and Washington’s friends in the South Pacific are crying foul.
Beijing has continually insisted that it doesn’t intend to use the islands as military outposts, but the construction of runways and ports seems to tell a different story and so, Washington felt compelled to check things out over the summer by sending a Poseidon spy plane complete with a CNN crew to the area. Once the PLA spotted the plane the situation escalated quickly with the Chinese Navy telling US pilots to “Go Now!”
After that, an intense war of words developed with Defense Secretary Ash Carter insisting that the US would sail and fly anywhere it pleased and Beijing assuring the US that sailing within 12 nautical miles of the islands would prompt a harsh response from the PLA.
For weeks, the US was rumored to have been planning a freedom of navigation exercise in the Spratlys which, as we’ve pointed out several times this month, amounts to sailing by the islands just to see if China will shoot.
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
Probably has a hold full of silver for the annual tribute.
Build the Montana class BBs and send a couple of them.
Jim Sciutto (Chief National Security Correspondent - CNN)
6m minutes ago
Breaking: US destroyer sailed within 12miles of China’s manmade islands in #SouthChinaSea - US official tells me
The U.S. Navy sent a destroyer within 12 miles of one of China's man-made islands in a contested area of the South China Sea on Tuesday, a U.S. defense official told CNN. The operation has since concluded, the official said.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/26/politics/south-china-sea-islands-u-s-destroyer/index.html
That is totally FUBAR! Who ever dreamed up this brainchild should be keelhauled.
That will be the end of it.
Yep, you were right. That appears to be that. Glad it didn't lead to anything serious after all. Maintaining a 12 mile distance pretty much telegraphs there isn't much we're going to do about China's island building - O continues to embarrassed the nation with his antics.
Apologize? No, he’d go there personally and offer himself as a boy prostitute. He like taking things up the corn hole, and sucking on things - particularly after a long cocaine snorting binge.
“Let’s hope some good people intervene when it’s crunch time.”
Yes - with a bullet.
Russia and China has been planning this joint move since about 1997.
From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html
______________________________________________________________
"Joint war games are a logical outcome of the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in 2001, and reflect the shared worldview and growing economic ties between the two Eastern Hemisphere giants."
http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2005/09/war-games-russia-china-grow-alliance
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,170287,00.html
______________________________________________________________
Sept 11, 2014
China and Russia to build major seaport: report
China and Russia will build one of the largest ports in north-east Asia on Russia’s Sea of Japan coast, reports say, in a further sign of the powerhouses’ growing alliance.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-11/china-and-russia-to-build-major-seaport-report/5738036
Pulling the dragon’s tail. He’s bound and determined to destroy the US, declare martial law and stay on as der leader.
“Why?! Can’t he just keep his grimy claws off the rest of the planet? Who wants more war?”
Tell that to the Chinese who are in gross violation of international law with their armed seizure of the Spratley Islands. The Chinese have already shot at, seized, and/or threatened violence against the citizens and marine vessels of the other claimants of the reef: Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Republic of China. The Spratley Islands and the 12 nautical mile areas of the South China Sea adjacent to each of the reefs and islets are smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest maritime routes in the world. According to international law China has no right to occupy these places, and the world’s merchant fleets and naval fleets have every right to navigate these seas and visit these places without interference by the government of China. Any conflicts that may arise from China’s violations of international law and the Law of the Sea are China’s responsibility and no one else.
We’re not a super power anymore.
And more than half the voting population voted for Obama TWICE. Terrible job and elected again to do more of the same.
Obama will retreat and back down as he always does. Another loss of respect - if any is left - for the U.S.
this is the guy who said he would “restore our stature in the international community”.
Someone is FINALLY getting the picture of what Obama is actually doing.
We are being set-up for subjugation and annihilation.
Until we are ashes under the feet of the rest of the world.
To pay for the original sin of our existence.
I continue to be amazed how few actually understand what is being done, even after Obama's hell-bent frenzy to get nukes into Iran's hands.
Well, I think that’s how it works, for someone whose intention is to destroy the United States of America.
Deplete the military weapons, the caliber and quantity of our soldiers and leaders and the respect for our standing in the world among our allies and enemies and then simply wait for the inevitable. Deconstruct it and they will come.
Thanks gleeaikin.
Huh. Another opinion from central_va is that this is all being caused by people that don't want higher taxes. What's really going on here (like we were saying on this related thread) is that the U.S. is putting a $3B destroyer at risk in China while China puts $14,000B at risk buying T-bills w/ no interest. Meanwhile there's a far bigger land war going on in China between U.S. financed Baidu (worth $60B) and Alibaba ($250B --bigger than Wal-Mart).
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