With all eyes on Ukraine, what happens if China gets froggy in the Ryukyus?
Does the PLAN have the wheaties to elbow aside USN and JMSDF forces in the area? If they confined themselves to southern Ryukyus and didn't go as far as Okinawa, would we honor our treaty commitments to Japan, or would we just...
Ha... haha... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Sorry.
...would we just impose sanctions on China?
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Air power and sea power are obsolete. Our leader has... Star Power! It works like the Prismatic Spray in AD&D.
Did Hagel mention anything about keeping hands off mid-sized nations in North Africa? I hope not, because at this point, what difference does it make?
You know, often the best part of having weak leaders is watching them implode. Can make for interesting times, but we sort of already have those.
We are SO screwed.
I, for on, look forward to the historic war presidency of Hillary!, with the added fun of watching the subsequent 5 non-Democrat presidents try to clean up the mess left by WW III.
When China decides to take the Ryukyus, they will ignore the USN and push JMSDF to the side. At best they will get a sternly worded letter from Kerry, or whomever is the Sec of State. Even though we like to laugh at and denigrate dear leader, I don't think a right wing, extrimist, hawkish republican administration would even bother fussing over they Ryukyus.
Kerry will speak to them sharply.
Here's a thought.
Scotland is likely to become independent after their referendum. Most of Britain's nuclear forces are based in Scotland.
Where will they go? England? Not Bloody Likely. The Greens and the left would go bananas.
If China and Russia keep up their aggressions, maybe Australia and/or Canada will offer them basing rights?
"Kerry will speak to them sharply."
And draw red-lines in the sand!
Good lord. I feel like a loyal and patriotic member of the Royal And Imperial Forces of Austro-Hungary in 1914.
This ain't going to end well.
And meanwhile, Japan is arming up a bit and considering changes to their constitution to allow a standing actual army, not just a "self defense force" (yes, I know it is generally more an issue of a label, but it would give them more freedom in what they could do).
It is beginning to make me think that the now-defunct desire for the US forces to be able to handle a couple of decent size wars at once may have been a good idea after all. Problem is, that's horribly expensive and we've blown all our money on bailouts to bankers and health care overhauls that leave the system worse off than before.
Last time I checked, JMSDF is the fifth largest navy in the world, and it's fairly capable. It's going to take some grunting to push them aside.
What I don't like is that our foreign policy in the Far East, since the end of the war, has at least a little bit to do with the curtailment of Japanese revanchism.
"The Japanese could go nuclear on their lunch hour" isn't funny in these circumstances, not one little bit, if Nippon decides for certain that they would be fools to think we would honor the U.S. and Japan Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement.
Mike James
The only lesson our current Socialist leadership won't learn from the fmr. Soviet Union is the importance of military strength. If the Chi-Coms get froggy, the Japs are on their own, along w/ whatever is left of the old SEATO alliance.
You are wise beyond your years.
What sanctions?
That they couldn't auction off all our bad checks?
China would be risking being the bullseye of a White House Press Release.
That'll scare the shit out of 'em.
Isn't that also the worst thing about having weak leaders? Watching Barry and Kerry implode may cause schadenfreude squared, but the cleanup could be a real buzzkill.
"Halt or I shall shout 'Halt" again."
I'm sure the White House lawyers can find a way to say they're honoring the US and Japanese Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. Particularly if they decide it isn't a treaty. Or can honor it by sending one Destroyer and a missile frigate.
China probably won't likely go full frog unless the US goes ACW 2.0
If that occurred there would be no reason for China not to take the islands or whatever else it wants maybe up tot he Philippines if ithas the sea lift or for Putin to roll halfway to Germany for that matter.
Of course preventing that chain of events would require that FedGov do its job properly which is iffy at best
Appropo of both this thread and the National Geographic discussion of Curtis LeMay: Went on a little vacation to Tokyo last month. I noticed a recurring theme in the historical markers around the city, noting that most of the time whatever was there now had to be rebuilt after the late unpleasantness circa 1945. With those kind of reminders around every corner, I don't think the Japanese will wait for China to make the first move. Can't say I blame them, either.
"I, for on, look forward to the historic war presidency of Hillary!"
Well, she might actually get that aircraft carrier named after her....
This is a general topic that always leaves me shaking my head and groaning. Interesting times rarely end well.
We could very easily impose heavy economic sanctions on China without the slightest action from our government.
You have a choice every time you go to the store....
Buzz,
If I come to your house, will you give me a dollar for everything I can find that was made in China?
How many of your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews are you willing to see die defending Japan? How many of your local high school's baseball team are you willing to let die burned, gutted, and screaming for their mamas, to defend a nation on the other side of the world?
The US military should be used to defend the borders of the United States, PERIOD.
Chris Mallory,
1) How many did I say I would? Are you psychic?
2) How many of your local high school's baseball team are currently on Okinawa?
You'd be surprised how far I go out of my way, even making impromptu purchases on items I didn't want or need, upon seeing the country of origin and wanting to support the company's choice.
I have a lovely collection of vintage Cannondales I might let you see. I wear New Balance shoes, although the pickings of US-made models are getting mighty slim these days. (I have a stockpile of US-made socks, believe it or not.)
Electronics are damned near impossible, however.
We are losing (have lost) our manufacturing base and the craftsmanship that goes with it. (speaking of which, Craftsman® being a brand I've had to abandon in recent years)
Hey, all y' all seem to've forgotten that we've a Democrat politician who ain't gonna let us abandon those islands. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what he had in mind when he said we should leave our Marines on Okinawa so they wouldn't cause Guam to tip over.
Rob J
Tom Clancy died too soon. He could really churn out some potboiler techno thrillers with the current geopolitcal situation.
Of course, he would have the 'ole problem that the current truth is stranger than fiction.
Rob (Trebor)
"How many of your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews are you willing to see die defending Japan? "
Except for the "nieces" part...
For women, combat service is still optional. When given the option in a real, guts-out, body parts laying around war, my guess is that most to all will choose to opt out.
No, it will be men, once again, who get to be fed into the meat grinder, all so that when they get home they can listen to feminists bitch at them about how men are subjugating them under their patriarchy and stuff.
Oh, et tu Goober?
I know, I know, every time you've gone out and gotten yourself killed in a Great War us wimmenz have bitched at you that you weren't doing it right.
I promise that I have never criticized your military service.
Class exercise: Compare and contrast "we could do X" with "I swear on a stack of Bibles that I always personally do X and so do my wife and kids and everybody who ever gave us a Christmas present".
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