Reuters: Japanese troops land in South Sudan, fears of first foreign fighting since WW2
A contingent of Japanese troops landed in South Sudan on Monday, an official said - a mission that critics say could see them embroiled in their country's first overseas fighting since World War Two.
The soldiers will join U.N. peacekeepers and help build infrastructure in the landlocked and impoverished country torn apart by years of civil war.
But, under new powers granted by their government last year, they will be allowed to respond to urgent calls for help from U.N. staff and aid workers. There are also plans to let them guard U.N. bases, which have been attacked during the fighting.
The deployment of 350 soldiers is in line with Japanese security legislation to expand the military's role overseas. Critics in Japan have said the move risks pulling the troops into conflict for the first time in more than seven decades.
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More News On Japan Deploying Combat-Authorized Troops Overseas For The First Time Since The Second World War
Japanese Peacekeepers Arrive in South Sudan With New Mandate -- AP
Japan’s first gun-toting troops since WWII have deployed — to South Sudan -- Washington Post
Japanese Troops, Armed With New Mandate, Arrive in South Sudan -- VOA
Japanese troops, now authorized to use force, arrive in South Sudan -- CSM
Japan Deploys Troops Authorized To Use Force For First Time In Almost 70 Years -- NPR
Japan deploys combat-authorized troops overseas for first time since WW2 -- RT
Japanese peacekeepers arrive in South Sudan -- Al Jazeera
Hat Tip to aaa for this link.
3 comments:
If Japan is going to have any value as an ally, they are going to need to actually be capable of fighting and, yes, in some cases, they will need to be willing in and able to fight overseas conducting military operations abroad. Otherwise they have no use to us as an ally.
In order to be able to do this, they are going to need experience. with that said I question the wisdom of South Sudan. How exactly does this serve Japanese interests? I don't think it does.
Perhaps it serves the interests of "peace in South Sudan" as part of a UN mission. Starting small with the force of 350 troops as part of a broader mission may be an excellent starting point for the Japanese to gain such experience.
Once such experience is gained and Japan is fully capable of combat operations capable of operating on its own without the United States Japan may actually be a worthy ally. Obviously this is going to take some time. How much time it will take may be a matter of reasoned debate. In any event, the next US presidential administration should work with the appropriate personnel on constructing timetables whereby Japan and other "allies" will be able to operate completely independently of the United States. concrete rough drafts of these timetables should be on the desks of the appropriate personnel by inauguration day.
"For The First Time Since WWII Japan Has Deployed Combat-Authorized Troops Overseas"
GOOD!
"If Japan is going to have any value as an ally, they are going to need to actually be capable of fighting and, yes, in some cases, they will need to be willing in and able to fight overseas conducting military operations abroad. Otherwise they have no use to us as an ally. "
Exactly
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