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Caught in a bind that threatens an Asian war

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
THIS is how wars usually start: with a steadily escalating stand-off over something intrinsically worthless. So don't be too surprised if the US and Japan go to war with China next year over the uninhabited rocks that Japan calls the Senkakus and China calls the Diaoyu islands. And don't assume the war would be contained and short.

Of course we should all hope that common sense prevails.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/caught-in-a-bind-that-threatens-an-asian-war-nobody-wants-20121225-2bv38.html#ixzz2GGSQiEdo



Hugh White is professor of strategic studies at ANU and a visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute.
 

Steve

Well-known member
After it was discovered in 1968 that oil reserves might be found under the sea near the islands,[4] Japan's sovereignty over them has been disputed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC, commonly known as Taiwan) following the transfer of administration from the United States to Japan in 1971.

Japan controlled the islands from 1895 until its surrender at the end of World War II. The United States administered them as part of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands from 1945 until 1972, when the islands reverted to Japanese control under the Okinawa Reversion Treaty between the United States and Japan

The island group consists of five uninhabited islets and three barren rocks.

These minor features in the East China Sea are located approximately 120 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan, 200 nautical miles east of the Chinese mainland and 200 nautical miles southwest of the Japanese island of Okinawa

it isn't as much about the islands but more as defining coastal waters and the oil under those coastal waters..
 

Zilly

Well-known member
I can't foresee the US getting involved. China has us by the nuts and they surely aren't dumb enough to fund a war against themselves. Unlike our Gov't, which loves to give weapons and financial support to our enemies.
 
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