Hissing Dragon-Squirming Tiger:

Comparisons, Negotiations

and Attitudes continues...

THE USA AS AN ASIAN POWER



No examination of the military strategic scenario in Asia can ignore the

presence of the USA as a military power in Asia. In addition to its

presence in the areas where it has been since the end of WW-II, such as

Korea and Okinawa, it now also has a military presence in central Asia

and west Asia. But it is in East Asia where its presence is most

significant, particularly with relation to the Korean peninsula and the

Taiwan Strait, both in terms of its presence as a land force and as a

three-dimensional force, air, surface and underwater naval force, with

awesome power projection capability. US military cooperation with

Japan and with India is a factor for Chinese strategic planners, even

though US-India military cooperation is loosely-defined and does not

amount to a military pact of the classic mode.



RUSSIA AS AN ASIAN POWER



Though Russia is not as formidable a military power as the former

Soviet Union, it is nevertheless a very strong military power in northern

Asia, with a strong nuclear missile capability, and more than adequate

modern air and ground forces which can impact East and Central Asia.

Russia is also set to rise once again, though not to the level of the

former Soviet Union, but to the full level of its potential, which is

substantial. China has taken note of this and has co-opted Russia into a

political grouping aimed at addressing a mutual concern in Central

Asia: Muslim fundamentalism. The Shanghai Cooperation

Organization which links China, Russia and most of the Central Asian republics is certainly a beneficial move for China, in that it reduces the scope for Sino-Russian rivalry.

Hissing Dragon-Squirming Tiger:

Comparisons, Negotiations

and Attitudes concluded!!!