Perhaps it was time to shake up The West. They are vulnerable. Not necessarily to Russia, but, certainly to the USA's extremist government.
I have stated this before in regard to NATO and it was before the elections in November. I think USA allies have vulnerabilities and they need to examine those vulnerabilities and address them.
It is true that the best way to avoid nuclear holocaust is to eliminate the weapons from a military arsenal. But, there are vulnerabilities there and USA allies need to examine those vulnerabilities. Perhaps, in addition to the USA overseeing Japan's security in the Pacific, other countries such as the UK and France should be as valuable to Japan's security as the USA is currently.
Previous to the Vietnam War, southeast Asia had a French presence. At the time there was SEATO. Eventually, France would hand over it's post WWII interest in the divided Vietnam to the USA and subsequently SEATO was dissolved. It may be in the interest of the UK and France to have a Pacific presence along with the USA.
I do not see anything wrong in shadowing the presence of the US in the Pacific as reassurances to their own people and to validate there is no reason for alarm for China, Russia or North Korea.
China is a vital interest for The West in communicating with Pongyang. That should be a secure relationship with The West in general.
February 12, 2017
By Hirotoshi
With U.S. (click here) President Donald Trump apparently set on an "America First" stance even in alliances, his standard for viewing the Japan-U.S. relationship will focus mainly on how it benefits the U.S. economy.
Although global attention is focusing on his close relationship with visiting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, there is the impression of a detachment from the bilateral relationship of the past that contributed to multilateral cooperation.
Abe had two options: either distance himself from Trump, who had become a threat not only to universal values such as freedom and human rights, but also the global order, or move closer to the U.S. president.
The prime minister has staked his chances on the latter course likely due to wanting to advance Japan's position before the new U.S. administration solidified its diplomatic policy regarding ties to China and Russia, among other countries.
In the postwar era, Japan has formulated its foreign policy around its relationship with the United States, on which it relies for its national security....
I have stated this before in regard to NATO and it was before the elections in November. I think USA allies have vulnerabilities and they need to examine those vulnerabilities and address them.
It is true that the best way to avoid nuclear holocaust is to eliminate the weapons from a military arsenal. But, there are vulnerabilities there and USA allies need to examine those vulnerabilities. Perhaps, in addition to the USA overseeing Japan's security in the Pacific, other countries such as the UK and France should be as valuable to Japan's security as the USA is currently.
Previous to the Vietnam War, southeast Asia had a French presence. At the time there was SEATO. Eventually, France would hand over it's post WWII interest in the divided Vietnam to the USA and subsequently SEATO was dissolved. It may be in the interest of the UK and France to have a Pacific presence along with the USA.
I do not see anything wrong in shadowing the presence of the US in the Pacific as reassurances to their own people and to validate there is no reason for alarm for China, Russia or North Korea.
China is a vital interest for The West in communicating with Pongyang. That should be a secure relationship with The West in general.
By Hirotoshi
With U.S. (click here) President Donald Trump apparently set on an "America First" stance even in alliances, his standard for viewing the Japan-U.S. relationship will focus mainly on how it benefits the U.S. economy.
Although global attention is focusing on his close relationship with visiting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, there is the impression of a detachment from the bilateral relationship of the past that contributed to multilateral cooperation.
Abe had two options: either distance himself from Trump, who had become a threat not only to universal values such as freedom and human rights, but also the global order, or move closer to the U.S. president.
The prime minister has staked his chances on the latter course likely due to wanting to advance Japan's position before the new U.S. administration solidified its diplomatic policy regarding ties to China and Russia, among other countries.
In the postwar era, Japan has formulated its foreign policy around its relationship with the United States, on which it relies for its national security....
