Saturday, February 19, 2005
Asian Balance Asian Freedom
There has not been a major war in the Far East since Vietnam and China went at it in the 1970s. A huge factor in the 25 years of peace is U.S. diplomacy. By guaranteeing the safety of Taiwan and South Korea we force China and North Korea away from military action. They won't pick a fight they cannot win. By not being aggressive or seeking dominance over the countries in the Far East we are seen as protectors of commerce and are not considered a threat. And by keeping Japan from militarizing we keep China and North Korea from desperate actions.
The biggest threat to this balance is that a rising China will either 1) seek conflict with the U.S. or 2) convince Japan to militarize creating an arms race. Japan's ministers talking publicly about China to American diplomats is a public demand that we reaffirm our commitment to their defence.
A few words from the President for peace and order in Asia being the first priority of U.S. policy would go far in calming the situation. It won't make Chinese dissidents happy. But we need to avoid military conflict with China so that the economic freedom there can work it's magic and upend the tyrannical political structure.
Think Chile. Think USSR.
The biggest threat to this balance is that a rising China will either 1) seek conflict with the U.S. or 2) convince Japan to militarize creating an arms race. Japan's ministers talking publicly about China to American diplomats is a public demand that we reaffirm our commitment to their defence.
A few words from the President for peace and order in Asia being the first priority of U.S. policy would go far in calming the situation. It won't make Chinese dissidents happy. But we need to avoid military conflict with China so that the economic freedom there can work it's magic and upend the tyrannical political structure.
Think Chile. Think USSR.
