Obama's Asia pivot tested by China's bold maritime claims

your talk is cheap obama, youre not a man

But Washington now believes that Beijing learned the "wrong lesson" from Washington's Coup of Ukraine's elected President, on how to pursue its own territorial claims, a senior U.S. official said.

There, fixed it for ya.

Why don't the asian countries just handle their own problems? Why do American tax payers have to pay to mediate all these squabbles on the other side of the world?

This problem is not an isolate problem to the Vietnamese government. Game set match and who is next? A bully never stops bullying until someone or someone’s have enough courage to stand up and let they know that there are lines you cannot cross. United we stand divided we fall.

@ephus... most Asian countries do not have the military power to withstand a Chinese Attack, this because, some countries does not have access to resources after many wars (Viet Nam.... you know there was a big war there, where the U.S., was technically defeated). Other countries depended on US forces, well because the US forces have their interest around there too.

Now that the US is unable (unwilling) to do anything, is that many countries begun to see how much they depend on US, and how wrong that was.

This applies to Japan also, a major dependence in the US forces, but also because of a faulty constitution that was imposed to Japan by the WWII Allies. The sad thing is that when someone tries to revise the constitution everybody freaks out, and some countries that could be affected, like China are the first to rise the alarm (an over exaggerated false one) about Japan being militarizing and with intentions to attack the surrounding countries.

China is playing a game of economic poker. Since they hold some very high cards, they believe the other players will just fold. Still as in poker, a bluff can end up in a challenge. It would be wise for China to play it safe.

tideofironMay. 19, 2014 - 11:36AM JST I keep wondering, what exactly is Obama supposed to do for Japan? What would make Japan happy here?

If you actually read the article you'd see that it's not about China vs Japan, but China vs many Asian countries. It is also about the US pivot, meaning China vs the United States.

Some of America’s friends in the region have little patience with a measured U.S. approach

These American "friends" need to learn that the only way to rein in China is with a unified front. China resists negotiating the South China Sea issue with ASEAN; instead, it demands bilateral talks. Clearly, Vietnam or the Philippines or Brunei will be at a complete disadvantage with such a behemoth - but combined, they could force China into a compromise.

And really, that is the only solution to this situation. The idea that America can force China out militarily is foolish and foolhardy. The idea that the pressure of combined opprobrium of all nations surrounding China is the only which holds possibility.

Think of it in terms of the United States as linebackers.You don't want a whole team of just wide receivers. If you had just one thing, you'd want linebackers. They can intercept passes, they can make tackles, they can stay with the fast guys pretty well, they can battle with the big guys. What they have is responsiveness, adaptability, sustainability and a nose for the ball. Those are the types of things we need. (China is sort of the backdrop against which most decisions are made in the region.)

OssanAmerica MAY. 19, 2014 - 12:49PM JST

If you actually read the article you'd see that it's not about China vs Japan

Ossan!

If you read JT everyday, PRC has already sent war ships and surveillance ships in the dispute area of Japan and PRC. It is true that their ships have not stayed there for a long time. However they have come and go as please! PRC likes the unpaid tenant who have been enjoying frontier holiday resort of Japan. The response of US is "Yes! You Can! from Obama." Reality is US is not interested in Japan territorial dispute. US wants to enjoy the fair weather Okinawa as free tenant.

but China vs many Asian countries.

I disagree. Obama has toured South East Asian nation and lectured them US will never let you down. US has given assurance to S E Asian nations that they have to be more assertive with PRC. Vietnam has been deceived by Obama sugar coated words. If US has no commitment for defending their interest, why did Obama tour and promote security issue with that nations? Asian pivot means not only about Japan. All nations have territorial dispute with PRC in the South China Sea.

meaning China vs the United States.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/donaldkirk/2014/05/03/u-s-asian-allies-want-to-know-is-u-s-ready-to-go-war-with-china-over-island-disputes/

Definitely PRC will not come and grab US territory. US has responsibilities for protecting smaller nations according Asian Pivot theory. Philippines and Vietnam are hopeful for US involvement. If Obama will not respond according his touch talk, there is no point for accommodating US force in Japan or Philippines. Those occupied land should be auctioned according the market rate.

@heynong

Are we sure we are commenting about the same article?

If China always listen to the USA, the Korea war wouldn't happen before. And even at that time at the beginning of the new China, the USA failed to achieve his aim. Now both confront with Russia and China, and in the time of regression, what can the USA do? To fail into a war with China and Russia? This means to accelerate the regression. Besides, I believe it is difficult to let the American to support Obama to involve the war with as Irag.

Weak up man!

The US should work to protect the territorial integrity of its allies and freedom of movement in international waters, without "taking sides," and should encourage the disputing nations to dialogue or seek a judgment from the International Court of Justice.

Vietnam does not trust US, it is waiting for Russia. And why US should protect such a corrupt communist government of Vietnam ? Obama maybe wise just to keep calm and take a "wait and see" attitude.

ASEAN members should not trust the US to back them with their disputes with China. The US will not get involved in an armed conflict with China. ASEAN members should change their charter to include a strong military alliance, an Asian NATO, to combat aggressive Chinese intrusion into their economic zones. Likewise, a better option is for the ASEAN members to jointly explore the seabed for economic benefits.

Too late. China's moving troops to the Vietnam border. The US can't preach about international law while supporting coups and NAZI's.

heynongMay. 19, 2014 - 02:29PM JST OssanAmerica MAY. 19, 2014 - 12:49PM JST "If you actually read the article you'd see that it's not about China vs Japan" Ossan! If you read JT everyday, PRC has already sent war ships and surveillance ships in the dispute area of Japan and >PRC.

heynong! It is customary procedure to post a comment relevant to the article at the top of the thread. I suggest you read it before posting. Japan is mentioned in ONE sentence. The rest is about the problems China is posing to all the other Asian countries and the United States.

OssanAmerica MAY. 20, 2014 - 12:36AM JST

It is customary procedure to post a comment relevant to the article at the top of the thread.

It is still the relevant to the article because US has ignored the security commitment for Japan. US has give countless assurance to Japan as your countless war mongering posts. However they were all touch talks! Lacks the actions for real deterrence for PRC. Why not Japan should be burdened for US base space and expense. It is the free loader for pretending without their presence, the world will be ended. Not many Japanese nationals are seriously believe that US will keep their words.

The rest is about the problems China is posing to all the other Asian countries and the United States.

It is still the Asia pivot issue introduced by Uncle Obama. There is no clear policy for how will US respond for territory dispute. As you and other hawkish posters posted before, US will not let Asian nations becoming punching bags of PRC. Obama himself toured Asia for reassure the allies and helpless nations about he will stand by for them. So far it was just the entertainment. Lacks the real substances. Talks is cheap! Show with the initiative.

Daniel Neagari (Viet Nam.... you know there was a big war there, where the U.S., was technically defeated).

Actually, America was politically defeated, the people who lead the defeat are now key members of Obama's cabinet; Hillary and Kerry being two that were primary in stealing defeat from the jaws of Vietnamese victory.

It is a very fooling Japanese person (or any Asian person) who puts trust in THIS American political party to "help them." If there is conflict in Asia, god help you. They don't care about dead Asians. Their career path is strewn with millions of Asian corpses.