Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Walk Softly, Carry A Big Stick, Then Apologize

Obama speaks during a naturalization ceremony for
new US citizens at the National Archives in Washington
 on Dec. 15, 2015.
Hegemony: In a surprising and most encouraging development, the Obama administration displayed a little spine in recent days in its ongoing objection to China's sovereignty claim around artificial islands in the South China Sea. But then . .
The last 18 months, China has created about 2,000 acres of new land in the Spratly Island archipelago, dumping dredged sand on coral reefs. The U.S. and others, including Australia, objected to the moves and deployed surveillance assets to the area.
CLICK MAP to ENLARGE
In October, Obama's latest secretary of defense, Ash Carter, told Congress: "We will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits and whenever our operational needs require." Good, firm U.S. words.
Soon after, a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Lassen, was ordered to sail through waters near the islands to back up Carter's vow. Of course, China objected, claiming a territorial and exclusive economic zone.
Good, firm U.S. action.
Then last week . . .
Read the rest of this IBD editorial HERE.

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