US Pentagon chief proposes Asia-Pacific 'security network'

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

US Pentagon chief proposes Asia-Pacific 'security network'
Robert Burns, Ap National Security Writer
Updated 3:05 am, Saturday, June 4, 2016

SINGAPORE (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter is proposing to accelerate and deepen defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific by expanding a "security network" of countries whose militaries would train together and eventually operate together.

Speaking to an international security conference in Singapore on Saturday, Carter said China would be welcomed in this network. But he also cited frequent American complaints about China unnerving its neighbors with expansive moves to build up reefs, islets and other land features in the disputed South China Sea.

Carter said this security network would represent "the next wave" in Asia-Pacific security.

"It is inclusive, since any nation and any military - no matter its capability, budget, or experience - can contribute. Everyone gets a voice, no one is excluded, and hopefully, no one excludes themselves," he said, alluding to China.





Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/US-Pentagon-chief-proposes-Asia-Pacific-security-7963094.php

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[center]

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter[/center]

[nitpicker]

1. On the sidelines...

http://thediplomat.com/2016/06/singapore-india-hold-first-defense-ministers-dialogue/

(snip)

India and Singapore held their first ever defense ministers’ dialogue Friday ahead of Asia’s premier security forum in the city-state.

Last November, the two countries had agreed to an annual Singapore-India Defense Ministers’ Dialogue (DMD) as part of a revised Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) inked as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of their defense relationship during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi last November. It was one feature of the DCA – an upgraded version of the one inked in 2003 – which also included deeper cooperation on maritime security and further collaboration between their defense industries.

On Friday, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar met his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen for the annual DMD before the 15th iteration of the Shangri-La Dialogue from 3 to 5 June.
(snip)

[nitpicker]

2. And more about the main conference

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/06/03/shangri-la-dialogue-opens-singapore-south-china-sea-largely-dominating-summit/85361430/

[Jesus Malverde]

3. The International Institute for Strategic Studies

Is a right wing think tank.

[ReRe]

4. More Ba$e$...

... and more $ales of arm$ from our jolly old MIC. Gettin' ready to pass those TPP trade agreements. Must provide security for our multi-national Corporate businessmen and trade routes. Same-o'-same-o'

[DemMomma4Sanders]

5. Why? Why? Why?

The Us,France, Great Britain have treated international waters...or claimed waters, as nuclear test sites, dumping grounds for prisoners, biological testing sites, COLONIES. Why oh why must we antagonize, with our guns, a nation that has lifted far more people out of poverty in a shorter amount of time than any western natin could have pretended to do by spreading democracy in Iraq, Libya, Syria or Afanistan(all attacked due to western corporate objections to competing energy dynamics).

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/03/french-nuclear-tests-polynesia-declassified

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_tests_in_Australia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Proving_Grounds

China's reduction in CO2 emissions in just four months totals the entire greenhouse gases emitted by the UK over the same period
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/chinas-reduction-in-co2-emissions-in-just-four-months-totals-the-entire-greenhouse-gases-emitted-by-10255957.html


https://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2015/aug/19/china-poverty-inequality-development-goals








Can't we step aside for a second. Each developing nationChina does business with benefits economically. They have built more functional communities in Afica than any US aid has for a hundred years.

I dont want to see US guns neuter what could be the worlds greatest example of collective economic stewardship.

[bemildred]

6. Money and careers basically.

The Pentagon lacks sufficient useful work to do and is looking for customers. Ash is the salesman.

[One_Life_To_Give]

7. Because they are Bullying our friends and allies

It is about standing by the little kid about to have his lunch money taken by the neighborhood bully.

[DemMomma4Sanders]

9. So you think they have the right to liberate Cuba, Hawaii and others US

held or controlled territories?

The Japenese overwhelmingly want the US military off their land....soldiers regularly raping local girls tends to induce such sentiment.

At what point are we ashamed of the hypocrisy?

[One_Life_To_Give]

11. They should support Hawaiians as we support the Dalai Lama

Japan's support of US presence in Okinawa is a bit more complicated. They want to be allied with the US for defense purposes but also want the US personnel to behave themselves.

[DemMomma4Sanders]

13. The majority of Japenese want us out and a sovereign military

their leaders are too beholden to US military welfare to care what their people want.

You specifically stated the Us had a right to meddle because of our allies? Well Cuba wants guantanamo back, does China have the right to place military hardware there or near hawaii to liberate these people? Would Washingtons reaction be the same.....Hey theres a dispute...China has the right to side with the little guy?

No, US neocons , neolibs and military elites would be screaming to turn China into Hiroshima.

America is a colony, Hawaii is a colony, Guantanamo bay is a colony. Us controlled Islands in the pacific are colonies or nuclear testing sites whose native populations had to be evacuated so the US could decimate their homeland.

The US has absolutely no ground to critisise or meddle in this issue lest its own long list of shortcomings eventually neuter it.

[One_Life_To_Give]

14. Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with your ally is meddling now?

Maybe we should have let Poland stand by itself in 39. Maybe we never should have levied sanctions against Japan in 41. Maybe I should let the big kid take the little kids lunch money. We are far from perfect but in this case the Right thing to do is to let the countries being pushed around know that we have their back. If China insists on bloodshed to get it's way in the South China Sea then we will have the Philippines back. Just as countless Filipino's risked and sadly some lost their lives protecting US Servicemen during the Japanese occupation. You can do what you wan. I will gladly stand with our allies.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Thank you for your post, links. Very much appreciated, DemMomma4Sanders. n/t

[FairWinds]

8. Most of the world thinks the US is usually . .

the bully.

With all the "Pivot to Asia" US actions to surround and isolate China,
(like the billions thrown at the new Jegu Island naval base)
Carter's talk of a "security network" to include China is just that.

So you folks are OK with us spending $ 1.2 trillion per year to go around
in search of "bullies,"

when 60% of American families can't cope with a $ 500 personal emergency?

That's why I joined Veterans For Peace

to stop this madness.

[Ghost Dog]

12. 'We have no fear of trouble,' Chinese admiral warns

... “We do not make trouble, but we have no fear of trouble,” Sun told the Shangri-La Dialogue, where more than 600 security, military and government delegates had gathered over three days.

“China will not bear the consequences, nor will it allow any infringement on its sovereignty and security interest, or stay indifferent to some countries creating chaos in the South China Sea.”...

...“We were not isolated in the past, we are not isolated now and we will not be isolated in the future,” Sun said.

“Actually I am worried that some people and countries are still looking at China with the Cold War mentality and prejudice. They may build a wall in their minds and end up isolating themselves.”...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/05/south-china-sea-we-have-no-fear-of-trouble-chinese-admiral-warns