U.S. and Australia Seal Expanded Military Ties – NYTimes.com

Posted by deslava27 |

U.S. and Australia Seal Expanded Military Ties – NYTimes.com. As if the conflicts in the Middle East were not enough, right now the US is planning to augment its forces into Australia as a precaution against China. Now it’s a relatively small force of about 2,500 soldiers and no new bases will be created, but this action is sending a message that the US is going to be expanding it policy not only in  South Asia, but also the Pacific.  With China’s economy on the rise and the US economy hindered by debt, inflation and an over extended military force. The Chinese have been taking advantage investing in commodities such as oil, precious minerals, as well as food stockpiles. China’s cornering the market for rare earth materials. Rare earth materials are used to make critical parts for hybrid cars, wind turbines and other high-tech gear. China currently mines over 90% of the world’s rare earth minerals.  This buying up of minerals and resources around the world has forced China to invest in its military to secure these investments. It has started redefining its boundaries with Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. It has launched it first Aircraft carrier that ventured to Africa and Recently Mexico.   Australia a strategic location in the pacific is important for the US to keep up its watch and presence in the area. China has expressed concern about US involvement in the area stating that it is “seeking to rise military tension in the area.”   It looks like in the coming years as tensions in the world arise and the currency wars come to a stand still, military action could be a greater possibility as the two nations compete more heavily for resources. As of now only trade disputes are taking place and recently The United States and other Pacific Rim nations are also negotiating to create a free-trade bloc that does not include China, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  How these moves will shape the pacific is yet to be known but it should cause some concern.