How The Commanding General Of The Army's I Corps In Asia See Things

Photo: Lt. Gen. Robert Brown

How The U.S. Army’s Top Corps Commander In Asia Sees Things -- Kevin Baron, The E-Ring/Foreign Policy

How different is the Pentagon's attitude toward Asia and the Pacific today than in the last decade?

Lt. Gen. Robert Brown, commanding general of the Army's I Corps, which is tasked to Pacific Command (PACOM), recalled the difficulty in getting approval to send a single hospital ship to visit Pacific nations when he was executive assistant to then PACOM commander Adm. James "Fox" Fallon, in 2006.

"It took us six months to convince the secretary of defense to allow the USS Mercy to do a mission in Southeast Asia because of the cost. They were like, ‘What is the relevance of that?'" Brown said, during a Washington visit last week. "Well, now no one questions that."

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My Comment: It is easy to see that his focus is on China.

How The U.S. Plans To Pivot To Asia

Photo Credit: US Navy

How US Military Plans To Carry Cut Obama's 'Pivot To Asia' -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

A US policy shift toward Asia means a greater role for the Navy. Even pre-'pivot to Asia,' it already stationed half its ships in the region, and it is developing a new 'afloat forward staging base' in the Pacific.

The Pentagon's No. 2 official, Ashton Carter, picked a telling time to discuss the US military's plans for its new strategic focus on the Asia-Pacific.

At Europe's premier security conference in Munich, Germany, this month, Mr. Carter took the opportunity to reassure concerned NATO allies, among others, that America's focus on Asia would not mean its abandonment of Europe. Some US partners have been concerned that even the phrase "pivot to Asia" implies that the United States would be turning its back on Europe.

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My Comment: Fred Hiatt provides a good explanation on why America is 'pivoting' to Asia. Other commentators believe we should shift to Africa. As to what is my take .... I always remember General MacArthur and his warning that America should stay out of Asia's wars .... but warnings aside the decision has been made to focus on Asia, and to play the role of being the stabilizing influence in a region that is becoming increasingly unstable..

So Much For That American Pivot To Asia

Source: Staff reports. By Craig Whitlock and Laris Karklis/The Washington Post. Published on June 13, 2012

At Pentagon, ‘Pivot To Asia’ Becomes ‘Shift To Africa’ -- Washington Post

In his first term, President Obama instructed the Pentagon to pivot its forces and reorient its strategy toward fast-growing Asia. Instead, the U.S. military finds itself drawn into a string of messy wars in another, much poorer part of the world: Africa.

Over the past two years, the Pentagon has become embroiled in conflicts in Libya, Somalia, Mali and central Africa. Meantime, the Air Force is setting up a fourth African drone base, while Navy warships are increasing their missions along the coastlines of East and West Africa.

In scope and expense, the U.S. military involvement in Africa still barely registers when compared with its presence in Asia, let alone the Middle East or Afghanistan. On any given day, there are only about 5,000 U.S. troops scattered across all of Africa, while 28,000 are stationed in South Korea alone.

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My Comment: Another example of where the White House says one thing .... and it gets contradicted by world events.

Can America Rebalance To Asia With A Smaller Military?

Yes, America Can Rebalance To Asia With A Smaller Military -- Cindy Williams, The Diplomat

One year ago, the White House and the Department of Defense announced a change in emphasis for U.S. national security thinking from a strategy focused on stability and counterinsurgency operations in the Greater Middle East to one more concerned with East Asia and the Pacific region. Some observers argue that future constraints on defense spending will make such a shift unaffordable. On the contrary, a good dose of fiscal austerity may be just what the department needs to firm up its new strategy and undertake the force changes that will be needed to align with it.

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My Comment: So small is better .... how come I still feel skeptical .... especially with new crisis popping up all the time (like Algeria and Mali right now) where focus and resources will have to be repositioned.

U.S. Arms Sales To Asia Set To Boom

Analysis: U.S. Arms Sales To Asia Set To Boom On Pacific "Pivot" -- Jim Wolf, Reuters

U.S. sales of warplanes, anti-missile systems and other costly weapons to China's and North Korea's neighbors appear set for significant growth amid regional security jitters.

Strengthening treaty allies and other security partners is central to the White House's "pivot" toward a Pacific region jolted by maritime territorial disputes in China's case, and missile and nuclear programs, in North Korea's.

The pivot "will result in growing opportunities for our industry to help equip our friends," said Fred Downey, vice president for national security at the Aerospace Industries Association, a trade group that includes top U.S. arms makers.

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My Comment: It has always been like this .... when the U.S. defense budget is cut, time to look for markets overseas. Fortunately for America's defense contractors .... China and North Korea are making it easy for them to sell their goods to South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, etc..

U.S. Does Not Want To Be Involved In Asian Territorial Disputes

(Sam Pepple / Sample Cartography)

US Wants Out Of Pacific Islands Mess -- Aol Defense

WASHINGTON: Wars have started over less. Even as the administration "rebalances" to Asia, it is scrambling to stay out of the region's escalating territorial disputes. None is more baffling to outsiders than the three-sided conflict over the tiny, uninhabited islands known in Japanese as the Senkakus and in Chinese as the Diaoyus or the Tiaoyutai.

And that dispute keeps escalating. Just this morning, China's Xinhua news service announced four warships of the rapidly growing PLA Navy had "patrolled" the waters off the Japanese-controlled isles, just the latest in a series of naval probes. On the U.S. side, the Senate passed an annual defense bill that included a (non-binding) "Sense of the Senate" amendment from Virginia's James Webb pledging the US will stand by its treaty commitments to defend "territories under the administration of Japan," explicitly including the Senkakus, against "armed attack."

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My Comment: It is obvious that the U.S. is going out of it's way to not confront or antagonize China. Unfortunately .... sensing this policy shift in Washington .... China is now doubling down on threatening and asserting their claims of sovereignty on these disputed islands. And for our allies .... they are probably now questioning U.S. resolve and commitments to support them in this time of need. What's my take .... do not get involve in Asian disputes unless they impact us directly.

U.S. Is Denied Entry Into Asia's Newest Economic Bloc

Asian, European and US exports

Post-US World Born In Phnom Penh -- Spengler, Asia Times

It is symptomatic of the national condition of the United States that the worst humiliation ever suffered by it as a nation, and by a US president personally, passed almost without comment last week. I refer to the November 20 announcement at a summit meeting in Phnom Penh that 15 Asian nations, comprising half the world's population, would form a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership excluding the United States.

President Barack Obama attended the summit to sell a US-based Trans-Pacific Partnership excluding China. He didn't. The American led-partnership became a party to which no-one came.

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My Comment: I concur .... there was no U.S. coverage on this news story, instead .... the U.S. media's focus instead was on Asia's territorial disputes and America's "Asia-pivot".

Pentagon-Sponsored Report To Congress Calls For A Buildup Of Forces In Asia

The USS George Washington conducts a replenishment-at-sea mission with the USNS Tippecanoe while under way in the Philippine Sea, July 23, 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Declan Barnes

The East Asia Pivot -- Washington Free Beacon

Pentagon-sponsored report to Congress calls for buildup of forces in Asia

A Pentagon-sponsored report to Congress outlines the U.S. military’s new pivot to Asia and calls for adding attack submarines and Marines based throughout the Pacific to head off a future war with China.

The report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies presents three options based on impending cuts in defense spending. They include keeping the current status quo forces, mainly in Japan and South Korea, or modestly increasing military forces by adding attack submarines, Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, more warships and bombers, another aircraft carrier strike group, and more intelligence aircraft. A third option looks at sharply cutting forces throughout Asia, which the report said risks undermining stability.

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My Comment: What the Pentagon wants will cost billions of dollars .... a prospect that will not happen in view of the budget cuts that are going to happen just around the corner.

The U.S. Is Returning To It's Old Southeast Asian Bases

(Click on Image to Enlarge)
The Washington Post. Craig Whitlock and Laris Karklis/The Washington Post. Published on June 22, 2012, 7:32 p.m.

U.S. Eyes Return To Some Southeast Asia Military Bases -- Washington Post

As the Obama administration revamps its Asian strategy in response to a rising China, the U.S. military is eyeing a return to some familiar bases from its last conflict in the region — the Vietnam War.

In recent weeks, the Pentagon has intensified discussions with Thailand about creating a regional disaster-relief hub at an American-built airfield that housed B-52 bombers during the 1960s and 1970s. U.S. officials said they are also interested in more naval visits to Thai ports and joint surveillance flights to monitor trade routes and military movements.

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My Comment: What was unthinkable in many of these countries 2-3 decades ago is now embraced and cultivated today. This is more of a testament of rising Chinese power than U.S. influence and prestige.

U.S. To Refocus On Asia

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addresses U.S. and Japanese troops stationed on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 24, 2011. Panetta thanked the troops for their service and individually presented them with coins after his remarks. DOD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey

U.S. Pivots Eastward to Address Uneasy Allies -- New York Times

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — China was never mentioned, but when a sailor in the Japanese Navy asked Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta here on Monday whether the United States planned to cut back its forces in Asia, Mr. Panetta knew exactly what he meant.

“I want to make very clear that the United States is going to remain a presence in the Pacific for a long time,” Mr. Panetta responded. “That means, just so you understand, that we are not anticipating any cutbacks in this region. If anything, we’re going to strengthen our presence in the Pacific.”

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More News On The U.S. Focusing On Asia

Panetta: US At 'Turning Point,' To Refocus On Asia -- NPR/AP
Panetta says US committed to being Pacific power -- AFP
Panetta Assures on U.S. in Asia -- Wall Street Journal
Budget cuts won't come at expense of U.S. power in Pacific, Panetta says -- Stars and Stripes
Panetta talks tough about China, North Korea -- CNN
Panetta Praises U.S.-Japan Alliance -- US Department of Defense
U.S., Japan will face Pacific challenges together, Panetta says -- Stars and Stripes
Panetta: North Korea's Nukes, Chinese Military Expansion Concerns for Japan Visit -- National Journal

For The US Navy, Asia Is The Priority

The U.S. and Royal Malaysian Navy vessels KD Lekir, guided-missile frigate USS Ford and KD Sri Inderapura sail in formation during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2008, July 14, 2008. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises involving the United States and several Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance operational readiness. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Brannon

US Navy To Maintain Pacific Focus -- The Australian/AFP

THE US Navy will place a top priority on deploying ships in the Asia-Pacific region even as it faces possible budget cuts that could curtail other global missions, the naval chief says.

With China's clout rising and its military reach expanding, President Barack Obama's deputies and military commanders increasingly portray Asia as a key to American national security.

"Asia will be clearly a priority and we will adjust our operations accordingly," Admiral Jonathan Greenert, US chief of naval operations, told reporters in a teleconference.

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Update #1: For US Navy, Asia is crucial priority: admiral -- AFP
Update #2: U.S. CNO: For Navy, Asia Is Priority -- Defense News

My Comment: This focus on Asia by the Navy is the right one. This century (and probably the next) is Asia's. It is where the people are. It is where much of the world's development and economic growth is happening. And .... it is where tensions and animosities can result in a conflict that can easily surpass any other war or conflict on the planet. Not surprisingly .... it is also where US Defense Secretary is right now.

Who Wil Asia Choose .... China Or The U.S.?

China Or The US? Make Your Choice -- Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

The defining geopolitical drama of the next century will be the battle for power and influence between China and America. That emerging struggle is already posing awkward choices for Asian countries, caught between the two global giants.

On Monday the US Senate was expected to pass a bill allowing for the imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods. Even if the protectionist drive in America now pauses for a while, this confrontational mood in the US poses a dilemma for China’s neighbours. China is now the largest trading partner for Japan, India, Australia, South Korea and most of the nations of south-east Asia. But these countries still have their most important military relationship with the US. How long can their economic and strategic interests point in different directions?

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My Comment: My prediction .... most countries in Asia will follow the money, and in this case .... all directions are now pointing to China.

U.S. Commits To A Greater Military Presence In Asia

Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore during the 10th International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit, June 3, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

US Pledges Wider Military Presence Across Pacific Rim -- BBC

The US says it will expand its military presence across the Pacific Rim despite budget worries and the ongoing commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, speaking in Singapore, said the US would strengthen its military ties with Australia and Singapore.

He said new ships and technologies would be deployed to protect allies and shipping lanes in the region.

Many Asian nations have become fearful of China's recent military expansion.

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More News On The U.S. Military Commitment To Asia

U.S. Aims to Bolster Asia Role -- Wall Street Journal
U.S. Won’t Become Isolationist, Gates Tells Worried Asian Leaders -- New York Times
Gates Reaffirms US Ties With Allies at Asian Security Conference -- Voice of America
Gates: Pentagon considering wider U.S. military presence in Asia -- Stars and Stripes
Budget Cuts, War Fatigue Won’t Deter U.S. Involvement in Asia, Gates Says -- Bloomberg
U.S. committed to Asia security despite budget crunch - Gates -- Reuters
Gates: Despite budget woes, U.S. military commitment to Asia will increase -- The Cable/Foreign Policy
New weapons for 'robust' US role in Asia: Gates -- AFP
US fears clashes in South China Sea: Gates -- Channel News Asia
Gates sees improvements in US-China relationship -- MSNBC
Gates Says US, China Military Relationship on 'Positive Trajectory' -- Voice of America
Gates Urges U.S.-China Focus on Common Interests Instead of Differences -- Bloomberg
US, China say military ties on positive path -- AFP

U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates Goes To Asia To Reassure Allies On U.S. Commitment To The Region

GATES' WAVE - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates waves to the crowd gathered to mark Rolling Thunder at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., May 29, 2011, saying it will be his last Memorial Day address before he retires in June. Rolling Thunder is an annual event in which thousands of veterans ride motorcycles through the city to call attention to prisoners of war and those missing in action. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker III

Gates Travels To Asia With Message Of Continuity -- Reuters

Defense Secretary Robert Gates heads to Asia for a final time as Pentagon chief on Tuesday, looking to reassure allies the United States is committed to regional security despite tightening defense budgets and his own imminent departure.

Gates, who leaves office at the end of June, will meet his counterparts from Australia, China and other countries at the Shangri-La security dialogue in Singapore before traveling to Brussels for meetings with officials of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

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More News On Secretary Gates And His Last Trip Abroad As "Pentagon Chief"

US role in Asia on agenda for Gates' final trip -- Seattle PI/AP
Gates to Reaffirm U.S. Commitments to Asia -- U.S. Department of Defense
On his last trip abroad, Gates to argue that tighter budgets won’t cut US role in Asia -- Washington Post
Gates to Display U.S. Military Staying Power on Final Trip to Asia -- Bloomberg
Gates to reassure Asian allies on US military ties -- AFP
Gates heads to Singapore on last trip as Pentagon boss -- CTV news

Asia Will Be Heart of U.S. Security Policy

Michele Flournoy, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Photo from Charlie Rose

Engagement, Partnerships Must Guide U.S. Asia Policy -- Defense News

The United States must find new ways to engage China and India, two major stakeholders in Asian security, and build partnership capability with countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam as the continent continues to transform, according to a senior U.S. Defense Department official.

Speaking at an event in Arlington, Va., April 28, Michèle Flournoy, U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, said Asia "sits at the crossroads of a number of emerging threats," including cybersecurity, its role in the global supply chain, climate change and terrorism.

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Update: Flournoy: Asia Will be Heart of U.S. Security Policy -- U.S. Department of Defense

My Comment: She has the ear of the President, so what she says has to be listened to very carefully. As to what is my opinion, the 21rts century will be Asia's .... and probably beyond.

U.S. To Bolster It's Military Presence In The Pacific

Adm. Robert F. Willard, incoming commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speak at the conclusion of the U.S. PaCom change of command ceremony Oct. 19, 2009, at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. Admiral Willard, former U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, assumed command of U.S. PaCom from Adm. Timothy J. Keating during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo/Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Elisia V Gonzales)

U.S. Military To Bolster Its Forces In Pacific -- Washington Times

Admiral sees close India ties.

The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said Thursday that the Pentagon is developing new battle plans for Asia that include adding Marines to better-coordinated naval and air forces in the region where China is expanding its military might.

NavyAdm. Robert F. Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, also said in a speech that U.S. military ties to India are growing and the relationship will be one of the most important for the United States in the 21st century.

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Update: Willard Cites Need for Asia-Pacific Stability -- Department Of Defense

My Comment: A lot of good information here. NavyAdm. Robert F. Willard clearly understands the dynamics that are in play in the Pacific, and he is positioning the U.S. to be able to confront it if the need arises.

U.S. Military To Expand It's Presence In Asia

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates arrives in Melbourne, Australia on November 7, 2010. Press TV

US Seeks To Expand Military Presence In Asia -- BBC

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said the US wants a larger military presence in Asia.

On his way to Australia for annual security talks, Mr Gates said closer ties with Australia would help the US expand its role in South East Asia.

The US would focus on fighting piracy, improving counter-terrorism, disaster aid and cyber-security, he said.

He said the US move was not to contain China, which is engaged in various territorial disputes in the region.

Mr Gates said Washington had no plans for more bases in the region.

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More News On America's Expanding It's Military Presence In Asia

US military seeks to expand presence in Asia: Def Secy -- Economic Times
Gates: U.S. Seeks Stronger Security Relationships in Asia -- U.S. Department of Defense
Australia-U.S. Summit Sets Stage for Closer Defense Cooperation -- U.S. Department of Defense
US to share Aussie bases 'speculation' -- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia boosting U.S. military role -- UPI
Gates says US seeks no new bases in Asia -- AP
U.S. military moves in Asia not aimed at China: Gates -- Reuters

President Obama Goes To Asia

Map: President Obama's Trip to Asia -- PBS News Hour

President Obama embarked Friday morning on a 10-day trip to India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan. He plans to meet with world leaders, participate in the G-20 and APEC economic summits, and give a speech on U.S. outreach to the Muslim community. Here's his itinerary:

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More News On President Obama's Trip To Asia

Obama heading for India to open Asia trip -- Yahoo News/AP
Obama heads to Asia, hopes to deliver on jobs -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Obama leaves US election wreckage for Asia -- Yahoo News/AFP
Obama Recasts Asia Trip as Jobs Mission -- New York Times
Obama packs much into 9 days in Asia -- USA Today
Obama's Asian trip starts in India -- UPI
Obama seeks new partnership with India -- CNN
Obama’s Bombay Nights Cost Americans and Indians -- New American
India, U.S. Still in Talks for Obama Visit -- Global Security Newswire
Obama to Push 'Defining Partnership' in India -- Aol News
President Obama's trip to India will cost $200M a day, GOP claim; White House says that's bogus -- New York Daily News
No, Pentagon says, Obama will not be guarded by 34 ships -- AFP
Security Entourage Earning Epic Reputation Ahead of Obama India Visit -- FOX News
Obama ready to turn his attention to Asia -- Washington Post
Obama's Asia Trip: What You Need to Know -- The Street opinion
Obama's India trip stirs fears in Pakistan about power balance -- David Nakamura, Washington Post
India's Unfinished Business -- Arvind Panagariya, Foreign Policy
Wealthy and Worried, India Is Rich Arms Market -- New York Times
Obama’s visit to Indonesia: What is at stake? -- Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Jakarta Post

President Obama Prepares To Go To Asia

Obama Speaks On India Visit -- Wall Street Journal

A day after his party suffered a huge setback at the polls in the U.S. midterm congressional elections, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke about his upcoming visit to India, telling the Press Trust of India wire service that issues such as India’s bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and its desire for the U.S. to relax export controls on dual-use technologies are “very difficult and complicated.”

The president’s comments about the UNSC will throw a bit of cold water on speculation that the president was planning to use the trip to announce U.S. backing for India’s permanent presence on the panel and may be discouraging to the foreign policy establishment in New Delhi.

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More News On President Obama's Trip To Asia

Obama to seek refuge from election pain in Asia tour -- Reuters
'No big' outcomes expected from Obama's India trip -- BBC
China high on agenda for Obama's Asia tour-aide -- Reuters
Obama Visit to India Expected to Further US Ties in Asia -- Voice of America
Security increased ahead of Obama's visit to Japan -- Stars And Stripes
FACTBOX - Obama to push trade on Asia tour -- Reuters
Q+A: Economic issues on Obama's post-vote Asian agenda -- Reuters
Obama India Trip 2010 Includes Challenges During 'Strategic' Visit -- Huffington Post
Where Will Obama Sleep in Mumbai? Duh! -- Wall Street Journal
'$200m-a-day' cost of Barack Obama's trip to India will be picked up by U.S. taxpayers -- The Daily Mail

Asean And The U.S. Start To Push Back Against China

U.S., Asean To Push Back Against China -- Wall Street Journal

The U.S. and its Asian allies are starting to push back at China's growing assertiveness in the region, strengthening security ties and taking more robust positions in territorial disputes in the East and South China seas.

The newest evidence of the resistance is set to come on Friday when President Barack Obama is due to discuss the South China Sea—almost all of which is claimed by China—during a lunch in New York with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean. The meeting will take place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York and will follow Mr. Obama's meeting Thursday with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

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More News On U.S./China/Asian Relations

ASEAN invites India, US to keep China in check -- Hindustan Times
Indonesia Rejects China Stance That U.S. Stay Out of Local Waters Dispute -- Bloomberg
Obama to Meet With ASEAN Leaders as Territorial Tensions Flare -- Voice of America
China, the US and ASEAN -- Xinhuanet
China tells U.S. to keep out of South China Sea dispute -- Reuters
China warns US against interfering in South China Sea issue -- Hindustan Times