“1. In Qatar our every move and communication is under surveillance by the mullahs in Tehran and their spies all over Qatar. 2. We are only “defending” the Gulf States and the Saudis and there oil trade there - they have enough money to build the forces to defend themselves against Iran. 3. We NEED such a formal defense pack with Israel so the mullahs in Iran know their designs on attacking Israel will amount to an attack on us. 4. Russia will know being parked in Syria is directly, not just remotely, challenged.”
I didn’t know that about Qatar.
I imagine anywhere we go in the ME we would be under constant “supervision”.
I’m not enamored of our military being the merc’s of whatever sand rat that wants a navy.
We haven’t had a president with the backbone to sign a pact with Israel.
President Trump might be the exception.
I really need to get a good, big world map.
“Dutuerte in the Philippines is a question, but sentiment against the new imperial China, in foreign policy and in domestic policy crosses all the political spectrum in the Philippines other than the Communists, so there may be hope there.”
I don’t think Dutuerte likes anyone but himself.
I see him as a shifting sands kind of guy, not really a loyal ally.
Saying that, he does have his hands full with communists, muslims and drugs. Tough spot to be in.
“Philippines will be a better “aircraft carrier” in the Philippines than Japan - (a) further from China than Japan, (b) less expensive and better naval harbor than we have in Japan, (c) can cause Japan to serious re-arm. The changes in the Philippines and Japan would position the U.S. and Japan to more directly challenge imperial China’s “island building” as well as its bullying all the way down to Malaysia and across to Vietnam.”
With modern missiles, subs and in-flight refueling I can see the advantage of not being right on top of China.
I read there has been talk of Japan amending it’s constitution to allow for a standing military instead of the current Defense Forces.
I’m sure they could ramp up production and training at the drop of a hat. Surely they have the planning already drawn up.
I didn’t know that the PI would be friendly to any Japanese military in the area. I need to keep up with things.
IIRC Vietnam has a somewhat tangled history with China.
Even though the government is communist I understand they have backed off the hard top to bottom model practiced in China.
When thinking about China Taiwan must also be considered.
I’m sure they are very nervous about an insurgent China.
I do like your idea of how to pay for It all. Savings here and there and legitimate ten year bonds.
Thanks for the conversation and education.
China and Vietnam have been at real war with each other more than once. Usually China has paid a price that caused it to abandon the effort. Maybe someday China will think it can overcome logistics issues - on land - and already I think that China thinks Vietnam is no match with it at sea. I think Vietnam is looking at us at helping out with its military deficit’s vis-a-vis defending itself at Sea.