Will There Be A China - Japan - U.S. War?

Eric Hyer, National Interest: The U.S. and Japan May Literally Start a War over Rocks in the South China Sea

Washington’s commitment to Tokyo may endanger American security.

China’s increasingly truculent behavior in the East and South China Seas has generated apprehension over China’s intentions and deepened U.S. concerns, especially over freedom of navigation, land reclamation and the potential militarization of disputed features by China. Analysis has focused primarily on the law of the sea, the legitimacy of China’s expansive claims that are now being challenged by the Philippines in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (with a long-awaited decision expected on July 12), and much debate over U.S. policy and ASEAN’s response. However, little analysis has been devoted to the alliance security dilemma and how this influences the behavior of U.S. allies, Japan and the Philippines, in their disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands and the South China Sea respectively.

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Update: Is the South China Sea the Stage for the Next World War? (Zidny Ilman, National Interest)

WNU Editor: I doubt that President Obama wants to have a legacy of being the President who started a war with China. Unfortunately .... President Obama is not calling the shots between China and Japan, and while he may have some influence over Japan .... the Chinese and Japanese have a long and bloody history, and they quite frankly do not give a damn what the U.S. (or anyone else) may say. Unfortunately (I am using that word again) .... a conflict will drag the U.S. in because of treaty obligations, and after that who knows when will the shooting stop and the economic calamity that it will produce finally settle down.