US on edge over new powder keg in the South China Sea [Philippines in China's Orbit]

CNBC ^ | October 21, 2016 | Clay Dillow

[C19fan]

China and the Philippines could begin exploiting long-untapped energy reserves in the South China Sea, according to reports coming out of this week's meeting between Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte and high-ranking Chinese officials — including a Thursday sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping — in Beijing. How soon that may happen remains unclear, however, as Duterte cautioned reporters that he has not been empowered by his Congress to finalize any energy exploration deal with his Chinese counterparts.

[C19fan]

This represents massive victory for China in the South China Seas. One of the primary reasons China has claimed these "islands" in the area is to set a marker for the Economic Exclusion Zones around those islands. Now China has gotten the Philippines to agree to what China wants in exchange for joint oil/gas exploration in the disputed areas. The whole US strategy of keeping China contained inside what is called the First Island Chain has been blown up with the Philippines dumping the US for China.

[Trumpisourlastchance]

This is a seismic shift in the power balance in the Western Pacific. It’s importance to geopolitics cannot be overstated. The unimaginable has happened.

[Red Badger]

Way to go, Obozo, another ally lost................

[Mr. Douglas]

You know, for a smart feller, our president seems to be a dim bulb.

[BenLurkin]

[Dagnabitt]

Obama’s legacy grows. What else can he accomplish in his final months?

[Lent]

CNBC part of the MSM and their beloved @$$ clown fuhrer Barack ‘I’m a community activist’ Obama. Leading the way in alienating everyone and making the world a more dangerous place.

[C19fan]

If China can consolidate this, this would be like the Russians gaining control of the Dardanelles, a long time ambition since Catherine the Great, and breaking out of the Black Sea.

[DoodleDawg]

It wasn’t too long ago that Duterte was calling Obama a son of a whore one week and then trying to suck up to him a week later. I suspect this will turn out the same way.

[butlerweave]

The Japanese Occupation was also tons of Fun

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Bush’s fault.

[HombreSecreto]

Yep, it’s the Chinese-led version of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

[DIRTYSECRET]

China and the P.I. have one thing in common: Their hatred of the Japanese. Waiting for One or 2 Koreas to join in.

[Enchante]

Obozo has lost the game in the South China Sea. He may as well have been doing a Bill Clinton dicking bimbos for all the good he is a POTUS.

[Thud]

Duerte was bought personally. Both Clintons are examples.

[shanover]

Obunghole is a weakling and every tyrant and regime on the planet knows this. I am shocked nothing bigger has happened by the Norks, Chicoms, Iranians or even ISIS. They pray for a Clinton win. Trump will never put up with these a**hole regimes sticking it to our great country. FUBO and FUHRC!

[fishtank]

[afsnco]

Bimbos don’t have the right equipment for that scumbag.

[fishtank]

[Auslander154]

Franklin Roosevelt lost China ( failed to support Chiang Kai-shek in his war with Japan .

Lyndon Johnson lost Vietnam.

Barack Hussein Obama loses Philippines.