U.S. Announces That It Has Prepared A List Of Military Options To Respond To Any Future Chinese Provocations

The question of security in the South and East China seas has dogged President Obama, above in Kuala Lumpur Sunday, during his Asian trip. Larry Downing/Reuters

U.S. Beefs Up Military Options For China As Obama Reassures Allies in Asia -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—The U.S. military has prepared options for a muscular response to any future Chinese provocations in the South and East China seas, ranging from displays of B-2 bomber flights near China to aircraft-carrier exercises near its coastal waters, officials said.

The menu of options, described by officials briefed on the action plan, reflects concerns that U.S. allies in Asia have about the Obama administration's commitments to its security obligations, particularly after Russia's seizure of the Crimean peninsula.

The security question has closely followed President Barack Obama in recent days during his four-country Asian trip.

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My Comment: This is a policy that should have been articulated and enacted two years ago. The U.S. is playing catch-up .... and everyone in Asia knows that. But the problem that I see right now is that the U.S. has lost a lot of credibility with it's failed Asian-pivot. In short .... all talk .... but no follow through ... will this be the same story for beefing up military options against China in an era when the Pentagon is cutting back everywhere. Even a blind man can can see where all of this PR is going.