Tensions In Asia Could Could Escalate Into An International Crisis

Analysts: Tensions In Asia Could Snowball -- Hannah Allam, McClatchy

The rising tension this week in the East China Sea could force the Obama administration to revive its plan for a “pivot to Asia,” a revamped engagement with China and its neighbors that’s been overshadowed by Middle East conflicts and other crises. President Barack Obama bowed out of two summits in southeast Asia last month because of the U.S. government shutdown.

Vice President Joe Biden leaves Sunday for a weeklong trip to Asia and is expected to relay Obama’s concerns with Beijing’s claim last weekend of an “air defense identification zone” in contested waters between China and Japan. U.S. officials are worried that such a provocation invites low-level, tit-for-tat escalations that could build into a real conflict in which the Obama administration would have to intervene on behalf of allied Japan.

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My Comment: I concur with this analysis. War with Russia is always my primary concern .... but it is a war and conflict that I give almost a zero possibility of happening. The second possible conflict that concerns me is the Far East .... and it is here that I cannot say with certainty that it will not happen. While North Korea is an incredibly unstable country, it is China that is going through some dramatic changes right now .... primarily with it's economy but also with its leadership. Who is to say that tensions may escalate into an actually armed conflict .... accidental or purposeful. And with U.S. defense agreements in place for U.S. forces to intervene almost immediately .... who is to say that this may quickly escalate into an international crisis.