China Expands Role in South America
China has begun filling a vacuum left by the US in South America. The 2002 American Servicemembers Protection Act forbids the US military from "financing and training to nations that have not agreed to bar the extradition of U.S. citizens to the International Criminal Court" according to the Washington Times. And China is stepping into that role. The article quotes several high ranking military and congressional officials who are concerned about the move and its impact on the influence of the US on the region. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) is quoted as saying that China may seek to export nuclear goods for civilian use to the area. The article names Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil as nations that the Chinese are actively courting. Together with increased trade with Canada, one Pentagon official believes that China is attempting to encircle the US with alliances, just as the US has encircled China with alliances of US-friendly nations. Some senators are pushing to allow the US to be more involved in that region.
My thoughts: While our influence in South America is important, we must keep our prioirities straight. Do we really want to put US citizens in a position where they can be extradited to the jurisdiction of a foriegn court? Absolutely not! While it may seem insignificant at the time, this is a principle upon which we can yield no ground. The United States is a sovereign nation, and our citizens will not answer to a foreign court - especially one that will most likely be stacked against us. If we compromise that foundational principle for "influence," we will soon have none of which to speak. However, it does not end there; this situation gives us one advantage.
By giving training and equipment to the region (China has supplied MANPADS to Bolivia, fighter jets to Venezuela, artillery to Cuba, etc.), the US is given an opportunity to observe Chinese training and tactics. Additionally, did the US want to examine a certain Chinese weapon, it would be much easier to seize if it is in our continent (e.g. last year, the US, afraid that they would fall into terrorist hands, covertly seized over 40 Chinese missiles from Bolivia). China has unwittingly given us a window from which to observe them more closely. And if the situation suddenly deteriorates, we can claim the "Monroe Doctrine" and clam down on China's invovlement. Not to say that it would be easy; by then, there might be several Chinese-friendly nations in the area. But when timeless principle clashes with temporary popularity, we must choose the former.
*******
Also of interest, from the Washington Times. Evidence for Saddam-WMD connection? Let's wait and see....
China has begun filling a vacuum left by the US in South America. The 2002 American Servicemembers Protection Act forbids the US military from "financing and training to nations that have not agreed to bar the extradition of U.S. citizens to the International Criminal Court" according to the Washington Times. And China is stepping into that role. The article quotes several high ranking military and congressional officials who are concerned about the move and its impact on the influence of the US on the region. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) is quoted as saying that China may seek to export nuclear goods for civilian use to the area. The article names Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil as nations that the Chinese are actively courting. Together with increased trade with Canada, one Pentagon official believes that China is attempting to encircle the US with alliances, just as the US has encircled China with alliances of US-friendly nations. Some senators are pushing to allow the US to be more involved in that region.
My thoughts: While our influence in South America is important, we must keep our prioirities straight. Do we really want to put US citizens in a position where they can be extradited to the jurisdiction of a foriegn court? Absolutely not! While it may seem insignificant at the time, this is a principle upon which we can yield no ground. The United States is a sovereign nation, and our citizens will not answer to a foreign court - especially one that will most likely be stacked against us. If we compromise that foundational principle for "influence," we will soon have none of which to speak. However, it does not end there; this situation gives us one advantage.
By giving training and equipment to the region (China has supplied MANPADS to Bolivia, fighter jets to Venezuela, artillery to Cuba, etc.), the US is given an opportunity to observe Chinese training and tactics. Additionally, did the US want to examine a certain Chinese weapon, it would be much easier to seize if it is in our continent (e.g. last year, the US, afraid that they would fall into terrorist hands, covertly seized over 40 Chinese missiles from Bolivia). China has unwittingly given us a window from which to observe them more closely. And if the situation suddenly deteriorates, we can claim the "Monroe Doctrine" and clam down on China's invovlement. Not to say that it would be easy; by then, there might be several Chinese-friendly nations in the area. But when timeless principle clashes with temporary popularity, we must choose the former.
*******
Also of interest, from the Washington Times. Evidence for Saddam-WMD connection? Let's wait and see....
posted by Alexander Blair at 7:20 PM
4 Comments:
Hehe. It would serve them right if we swipe there stuff, given what they fragging did with our spy plane.
I linked to you, now that you are posting more frequently. :-) Keep it up.
Interesting...never heard of that before. However, not sure I totally agree with you. Could China be planning an invasion?
Whether people realize it or not, China has the potential to become the new Soviet Union. I mean, think about it: they have the largest population on the face of the earth, they are the largest manufacturor on earth, they are ruled by an oligarchial system, they are extremely ambitious, and now they are exercising their influence in the Western Hemisphere. Pretty much the only things holding them at bay is their perception about America's economic and military superiority, which are steadily deteriorating (their perceptions, that is), and their somewhat naive respect for the UN.
They believe that they still need to play nice in order to have allies; what they don't realize is that if they made a move, enough nations would gather behind them out of mutual dislike of the U.S. We need to get our in gear with respect for China. What that entails, I do not know, but the status quo is no longer acceptable.
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