tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post115254925328223784..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Examining the OptionsGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1153047987183465652006-07-16T07:06:00.000-04:002006-07-16T07:06:00.000-04:00I just found out that Japan provides UN Peacekeepe...I just found out that Japan provides UN Peacekeepers in the Golan.<BR/><BR/>A Japanese Military angle to the ME war.<BR/><BR/>I think Israel will be in Syria by Wednesday. Especially now that Iran has offered to support Syria. I believe that is an offer Israel and America can't refuse.<BR/><BR/>I do not believe Israel will go through the Golan.M. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1152769451332237702006-07-13T01:44:00.000-04:002006-07-13T01:44:00.000-04:00Japan is on the verge of the world's first populat...Japan is on the verge of the world's first population impolosion. Far from being the threat it was in the Thirties it is in grave danger of being able to survive. China, which is as we speak waging information warfare against the United States, is going to be the primary threat to the United States for the next century. Provided we survive that long.MeaninglessHotAirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767916621253839341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1152568643449116222006-07-10T17:57:00.000-04:002006-07-10T17:57:00.000-04:00About four years ago, a very good friend who has d...About four years ago, a very good friend who has done extensive business in Japan for a very long time, and has all sorts of contacts told me to wait because he said that wtithin 5 years, the DPRK (North Korea) would push Japan's buttons and to pay real attention if (once) Japan started to buildup their "blue water" navy, particularly if it turned into a Cruiser (Light/heavy) force.<BR/><BR/>He also suggested that Japan was paying great attention to the early developments comming out of the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program, and a rapid implementation of this sort of shipbuilding program would be a very good indicator that Japan had finally had enough and didn't trust either China or the ROK to resolve the DPRK issues.Making The Wheels Turnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14786636690998841783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1152560318155990652006-07-10T15:38:00.000-04:002006-07-10T15:38:00.000-04:00I am not terribly worried about Japan and the futu...I am not terribly worried about Japan and the future if they decide to rearm.<BR/><BR/>There - we have too much in common, and only a change of government form there can disturb that.<BR/><BR/>In fact I wish they would start talking about the FACT that given the current lack of Chinese firmness regarding NK and nukes, there is a cae to be made for Japan having it's own modest strategic deterrent.<BR/><BR/>Nations like China and russia have decided that rogue states having nuclear weapons is prefereable to either instability via american and UN sanctions or US action. After all, what is the ultimate price to them if 1 or 2 nukes make it to US soil?<BR/><BR/>FINE.<BR/><BR/>Under such a set of circumstances I see no reason not to have them contemplate a scrotum tightening world with Japanese, South Korean, Australian and Taiwanese deterrent forces.<BR/><BR/>The 'great game' doesn't exist anymore, and China and Russia need to be reminded of this.Epaminondashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04811906954763827459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1152558831652489722006-07-10T15:13:00.000-04:002006-07-10T15:13:00.000-04:00I believe we can still be the dominant voice, beca...I believe we can still be the dominant voice, because (a) we will remain the dominant military power, and (b) we control the technology that Japan needs to expand its military arsenal. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, I believe that Japan has changed fundamentally since WWII. In 1945, there were genuine doubts as to whether democracy would work in Japan. The past 50 years has removed those doubts, IMO. <BR/><BR/>As for China, there is no doubt that nation suffered horribly at the hands of the Japanese. But the Chinese people have suffered even more at the hands of the communists; the bloodbath of the Cultural Revolution makes the Rape of Nanking look almost tame by comparison. <BR/><BR/>Looking past the NK problem, China will be the dominant threat in the region. We could certainly use partners that will work with us in providing a hedge against China's growing military power. Taiwan is nothing more than a tripwire, and post-reunification Korea will be focused inward, trying to absorb the staggering cost of rebuilding the former North Korea. Russia is unreliable, so that leaves Japan. <BR/><BR/>A stronger U.S.-Japanese military alliance makes a great deal of sense, for at least the next 20-40 years, IMO, at least until we have permanent regime change in the PRC.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.com