Will The U.S. Go To War For Japan

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta meets with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Sept. 19, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Is The U.S. Committed To Defend The Senkakus? Text Of Article 5 Of The U.S.-Japan Treaty -- Stephen Harner, Forbes

On Sunday, September 23, NHK news broadcast a video of U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta seated next to and speaking with Chinese Vice Chairman and soon-to-be supreme leader Xi Jinping on September 19 in Beijing. During that meeting, reported NHK, Panetta told Xi that U.S. policy is that the Senkaku islands (claimed as Chinese territory by Beijing) are covered by the U.S.-Japan security alliance. If there is military conflict, the U.S. is obliged under the alliance to intervene.

The September 21st Yomiuri Shimbun, cited testimony of Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the day before confirming that the Senkakus come under Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Campbell said that U.S. policy on this has been clear since 1997.

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My Comment: I am of the opinion that the U.S. will defend Japan .... but what will U.S. forces exactly do is what is many are now starting to question. For example .... when it comes to the disputed islands the U.S. will do everything to help Japan short of actually engaging against Chinese forces with our own. But if Japanese territories that are not in dispute become targets for Chinese aggression ... that is when all gloves are off, and the U.S. forces will engage.

This is frightening stuff .... because military conflicts always tend to have a life of their own that befuddles even the best planners and strategists. My worry is that the Chinese will miscalculate .... and in this miscalculation will destabilize the region, create an arms race, wreck the global economy, and create tensions that will last for generations. On a positive note .... fortunately .... I have noticed that all of my Chinese friends and contacts are aware of this "disaster scenario" .... and this general awareness in China is probably what will stop the Chinese from pushing their claims on these islands.

Update: China surveillance ships enter waters near disputed islands -- Reuters