For the second time this month, the US has sent two carrier strike groups, representing the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan, into the South China Sea. The Navy says they are showing a commitment to “international order.”
The two carriers first entered the area for joint drills around July 4, and are back again, this time seemingly just passing through to make a public presence at a time when the US and China are on very tense terms over the South China Sea.
Before these two visits, the US had not had two carriers in these waters in six years, reflecting just what a priority the administration views claims in the sea, and the US interest in rejecting China’s claims to various islands there.
China in one of several nations with claims in the South China Sea. In all cases where claims overlap, the US backs the other nation over China, and has emphasized they won’t allow China to just claim broad chunks of the sea.
Interest in the South China Sea both reflects its heavy use in trade, and the reality that off-shore oil and gas deposits are believed to be vast, and whoever claims those islands would be allowed to exploit them. Unlike China, most of the other nations in the area would have to turn to another nation, likely the US, for production.
It will never escalate beyond “joint drills”. Drills is all these able-bodied men do for a living. One has to wonder how long they can stand it.
More targets for China.
After we fixed the Middle East the plan was to pivot and contain China. We contain our pets and livestock and criminals and now we plan to contain the Chinese and anybody else who will not do things our way. This is the most Diabolical way of thinking in the history of the world and where in the hell did it come from? Military and Nukes spread all over the face of the Earth threatening the very existence of humanity just so a bunch of crazy ego maniacs in the US government can play their sick games with the rest of the world.
Our whole foreign policy is a gamble, we are betting that our so called enemies are not as crazy as we are. We play the game every way but the fair way, sanctions, assassinations, military force, propaganda etc. We are afraid to get our hands dirty and work our way out of our problems and at the same time we deport those who are willing to work. We had better see the light soon before its to late.
Good chance for the Chinese to practice against the USN. See if they can track the groups and maneuver submarines into weapons range. Fun for all!