Or there soon will be if Japan's prime minister has his way! Spurred, no doubt, by the roaring flames fom the mouth of the 'dragon' to the north, an old, not to say ancient, foe, Japan under a new-ish Right-wing government is moving towards an amendment to their constitution which would revise the American-imposed clause forbidding Japan from engaging in war. According to a report in My Way News, the Japanese people are very divided on the subject and as it would take a two thirds majority to change the constitution Prime Minister Obe is facing some difficulties. Hence, according to the report, he is intent on merely 'refining' and 'clarifying' it - yeeeeeees, quite!
The Americans, in their post-imperial mood (and as a Brit I cannot resist a sly snigger despite my apprehension!) are urging the Japs to, like, well, ya know, get a bit more war-like, know what I mean? Put simply, the Americans just do not have the 'moolah' or the inclination to do for East Asia what they did for Europe during the Cold War - bless their Yankee socks! They are willing to play back-stop, that's as in 'long way back, back-stop' but they insist that the nations concerned with Chinese expansionism should put up their own umbrellas before sheltering under the American one.
None of this, including Chinese expansionism, is exceptional but it does need to be handled with exquisite care because, like an IED, one wrong move from anyone could cause an explosion. I know nothing of the skill of East Asian foreign policy operators but I can say with some confidence that the American State Department under the leadership of one of the stupidest men ever to have been a Secretary of State is, to quote a phrase, 'not fit for purpose'; and given that it is under the command of a part-time golfer in the White House my confidence is minimal.
Mr Obama leads from behind. That allows him to retreat from in front when needed. It's our new smart foreign policy. America has retreated from the world stage at times but usually has to return at great cost. We must hang on 32 more months.
Posted by: Whitewall | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 12:24
Depending on where you are sitting, Whitewall, there is an argument that perhaps the USA has, as great powers always have done, over-extended itself and in places rushed in 'where angels fear to tread'. On the other hand you can't just stop being a global power when you are as big as the USA, thus, some intelligent picking and choosing needs to be done. Alas, I am far from certain that 2016 is going to produce a real statesman - or woman!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 13:08
Is it only 32 months till Hilary becomes president?
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 14:09
I assume, BOE, that is a rhetorical question! Actually, I am still in some slight hopes that some scandal will crawl out of her slime and strangle her, then, 'Fauxcahontas' will take over and if she wins she will reside in the 'White Wigwam'. Too, too delicious!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 15:34
I take it that Fauxcahontas is the Native American Senator? Hilary will avoid scandals by forbidding anyone from discussing them - bit like the Irish guy in the White House now doesn't allow anyone to see his GCSE results!
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 17:44
No, BoE, she is not Native American. Well, everyone from the South has more than a bit of one or another tribe in us. I've got several, and the teeth and (now) genetic testing to show it. However, Sen. Warren is also descended from a sheriff who helped to evict the tribes from what is now the South Eastern United States and send them to Oklahoma. (Fondly remembered as the "Trail of Tears") She was also a major corporate lawyer who screwed the "Little People" whom the Dems claim to defend, a close parallel to Sen Kerry, also from Massachusetts. If Massachusetts voters saw the name of a yellow dog on the ballot as the Dem nominee, they'd vote for her.
The rest of the country are not always so gullible. The Dems are so entrenched in the benighted state of Massachusetts that no one has investigated or fumigated their voter rolls in decades. Several states did just that since 2012, so we have some hope that, without the grave yard vote, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina and parts of Texas will deliver clean ballots. We shall see. Prayers would be appreciated.
Posted by: Michael Adams | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 18:21
I'll have a word with my new vicar, Michael, seeing as I cut her Churchyard grass I'm sure she will be pleased to offer a prayer or two!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 19:00
"Cut her churchyard grass". Thats a new way of describing it!
Posted by: Backofanenvelope | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 20:23
"Cut her Churchyard grass" is quite civilized sounding.
Posted by: Whitewall | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 21:20
BoE, your own words in previous comments tell me you are too old for such a dirty, dirty mind!I'm not, yet, so I am LMAO.
Posted by: Michael Adams | Monday, 05 May 2014 at 21:23
G'day Duffers,
If you are going to "Cut her Churchyard grass" just make sure Mrs Duffers doesn't find out or she could do a Bettie Bobbitt on you.
And now I'll clean the coffee droplets off the screen.
Posted by: AussieD | Tuesday, 06 May 2014 at 08:54