A Dangerous New World

As 2018 looms closer to a close, the chaos of global threats to peace and security have multiplied in the wake of the failed leadership of the Trump Regime. Since the end of the Second World War, the world has looked to America to be the proponent of freedom and democracy around the world. That shining beacon on the hill as President Ronald Reagan once called it. But as it stands, this experiment with a reality TV host as president has destabilized the world order while Moscow and Beijing take full advantage of the situation. This week alone has seen such extraordinary unprecedented moves on the part of our foreign adversaries starting with the call by senior Chinese Navy officers calling for the ramming of American Navy ships in the South China Seas. If that wasn't bold enough, they also reminded the world they intend to take Taiwan back by brute force once they are confident that America will do nothing.

Meanwhile, as our foolish leader orders the withdrawal from Syria and Afganistan, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has called the American Presence in Japan an obstacle to signing a formal peace treaty that would finally end hostilities lingering from WWII. Why not? He somehow he got Trump to abandon the Middle East and our Kurdish allies to certain death gifting Moscow and Tehran dominance. With indecision and vacillation, our impulsive leader is emboldening such moves on the part of our adversaries. This is a disturbing development which further makes a case for PM Shinzo Abe to push for the record military budget he has asked for and the long overdue revision of their post-war American imposed Constitution. As a result, Japan will now get more F-35A and F-35B Stealth fighters and prepare to upgrade the existing Izumo Class carriers to launch them. Naturally, Beijing has already sounded protest and has in so many words warned of an escalation of tensions. If that weren't enough, North Korea has thrown an all or nothing denuclearization demands on this already weakened president who declared victory by meeting with their despotic leader. The solution will come for the American people have had enough of this chaos. We must right this ship of state or be sunk by it. Until that moment of truth comes, our military leadership, as well as our newly elected members of Congress must restore order before the world is plunged further into crisis. And while it is said it is always darkest before the dawn, the new reality is as my child's favorite movie says, we will have to sail through a whole ocean of bad to get there. Until then, pray for peace. 

Calmer Seas: Japan and China to Resume Fleet Visits

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the People's Republic of China's Navy have announced they will be resuming fleet visits. They haven't done this since 2011, so this is a good thing. Japanese news sources say that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make the formal announcement with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang when they meet in Beijing this week. By no means does this resolve the crisis in the South China Seas or Chinese claims to the Senkaku Islands, but the unilateral thaw in tensions is a step in the right direction to de-escalate growing hostilities between the two competing maritime powers. We hope this will lead to further talks that result in better cooperation and peace on the high seas.

Playing High Stakes Chicken on the South China Seas

It wasn't so long ago that the People's Republic of China made an outrageous claim of sovereignty over the entire South China Seas based on some 500-year old map. A declaration of which the United Nations ruled against.  Since that time, the PRC has been militarizing small reefs with airfields, missile batteries, and radar installations. Neither the United States or the United Nations Recognizes the PRC's claims, but that hasn't stopped the Chinese Navy from making aggressive moves in International Waters to defend what it claims as its sovereign territory. If China's claim were valid, the United States would not have been able to conduct flight operations from Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.  Not only that, but it would open a legal claim for Japan to claim Manchuria based on an 80-year-old map making an even greater International crisis China could have avoided. 

As you can see from these two U.S. Navy photographs, the USS Decatur came within 41 meters from the Chinese destroyer Lanzhou near the Spratly Islands. The Chinese warship came from behind and tried to cross the bow of the Decatur forcing the American Captain to throw the ship in reverse to avoid a collision. This was highly unprofessional on the part of the Chinese not to mention downright dangerous for the crews of both vessels. But this is what they are doing. They are engaging in a deadly game of high stakes chicken in International Waters where whoever flinches first may get killed. We at American Mishima hope it doesn't come to that. We believe this emboldened aggression is in part to test our current lack of leadership in Washington D.C. If this is what Beijing is counting on, they haven't truly tested the resolve of the United States Navy. Freedom of Navigation shall not be curtailed or infringed by an upstart world power ignoring International Law. Unfortunately, we do not see Beijing backing down, and at some point like the Cold War of times past, people will die, and history will look back at this time to ask why.

While the World is Distracted, China Deploys Missiles on Disputed Islands

As much as American Media focuses much of its attention on one man's chaos, the Chinese military quietly deployed air-to-air and anti-shipping missiles on disputed islands in the South China Seas. According to French sources monitoring the situation, this provocation on the part of the PLA/Navy will only result in escalated tensions in the region. CNBC further confirms these deployments have taken place on the Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef. These islands are part of the Spratly archipelago and part of Bejings absurd historical claim to soveriegnty over the entire South china Seas which the United Nations ruled out. Not withstanding the UN's rebuke, they know with full confidence that America is too distracted by our Reality T.V. Host playing President to do anything about it. His endless scandals have served as a distration for him to be concerend with what is happening in the South china Seas and Beijing is taking full advantage of it. This of course, will provoke a response on the part of the U.S. Navy. The situation is a prelude to disaster given our current lack of leadership. Our foolish leader's thinks he can beat a skillful chess player with a lousy game checkers on the high seas provided he himself is not too distracted with his own made up conspiracy theories he peddles to his deplorable voter base and further antagonizing American people who don't support him on Twitter. It's not television. It is a dangerous world. Unless the PRC de-escalates the situation which we know they won't, or Trump is forcibly removed from power, or grows a pair and starts acting like a leader, the region will further inch closer to an armed conflict. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and no one gets hurt.

Strange Bedfellows or Spirit of Cooperation? US-China Plan Joint Excercises

With all that is going on in the region, a most unexpected move was announced earlier this week. CNN had posted reports that spokesmen from both the United States and the PRC have both announced that the two countries plan to hold joint military exercises this November 13-18th 2016 to focus on Disaster Relief Missions. The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that China's military spokesperson Wu Qian said in a recent briefing: "The scenario of the joint exercise and exchange is professional disaster relief in high-altitude regions. It consists of three phases, namely, academic exchange, command post exercise and live troop exercise." While only a small number of PLA and US Military personal will take part in this exercise, it is our hope that this spirit of cooperation can be built upon and perhaps the current tensions could be eased. With rising climate related disasters on the rise, it is up to the nations of the world to put aside their petty differences and come together in times of need. Whiles these exercises won't solve all the outstanding issues on the South China Seas, it can in some small part lay the ground work for future cooperation in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts where our two great countries resources can be used in tandem for good. We at American Mishima hope to see more of this.

Right Ruling - Wrong Response

Seen here is the PRC's newest Type 025D Destroyer Yinchuan (DD*-175). This advanced vessel said to rival the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers was commissioned in the port of Sanya, Hainan Province hours after the PRC soundly rejected the Hague's International ruling against the PRC's claims in the South China Sea. The official statement reads: "With regard to the award rendered on 12 July 2016 by the International Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration established at the unilateral request of the Republic of the Philippines…the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China solemnly declares that the award is null and void and has no binding force. China neither accepts nor recognizes it." As if things could not be more tense, Beijing further threatens the disputed region with establishing a Air defense Zone to defend its man made island bases built atop coral reefs in international waters. Clearly this is not helping de-escallate growing tensions.

While the International Court has no way to enforce the ruling dismissing China's historical claims to economic zones as it's own sovereign territory consuming 90% of the South China Seas, this does look bad for the PRC. But this has been a crisis of their own making which goes further than annexing a small land locked country as its own province based on an old map. In the end this is all about business and how far will one country will push its neighbors and the International community at large to the brink of war to gain an economic advantage over its competitors. As it stands, fishermen from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia have clashed with Chinese vessels and there has been bloodshed. 

While the Vietnamese Navy has done little to protect its fishermen, the Philippines have taken the PRC to court and won. Score one for the little guy right? Morally this stands as a victory for the sovereign rights of a small country that's been violated by a larger power but this is far from over. As Beijing plays both victim and aggressor, further rights of navigation passage flights will continue.We hope that someone in Beijing pulls back on this and cooler heads prevail. Nobody wants a war. But you wouldn't know that with the talk coming out of China. Let's hope this doesn't get further out of hand resulting in the loss of life and prosperity.

JMSDF Makes Port Of Call at Subic Bay

As tensions continues to grow over territorial disputes in the South China Seas, three JMSDF vessels including the diesel-electric attack Oyashio Class Submarine Oyashio (SS-590), and destroyers JDS Arike (DD-109) & JDS Setogiri (DD-156) make their first Port of Call to the Philippines in over 15 years. This visit to the former U.S. Naval Base at Subic Bay is just 200 KM from a Chinese held shoal they claim is their sovereign territory which they have been militarizing with artificial islands whose boundaries overlap territorial waters of several nations. It should be noted that one third of the world's oil is transported through the sea lanes in the South China Seas and for the PRC to claim nearly the entire sea as their own has created some serious problems for the region. Ten years ago, the Chinese Navy was just another regional power. Now out of nowhere, they are claiming nearly an entire sea as their own sovereign territory (which they are threatening to fight over) right in the middle of international sea lanes which presents a big problem for global commerce. As it stands, the Philippines do not have the military resources to argue with the Chinese Navy on the high seas. Japan has agreed to help upgrade the Philippines with upgraded military hardware but ultimately it will be up to the JMSDF and the United States Navy to keep the peace. Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, & Brunei also have found themselves in Beijing's cross hairs in this South China Seas dispute with China drawing ire from all around. We all know this is bad for business and the Chinese economy thrives on business as does it's neighbors. As we have stated before, we hope that cooler heads and peace prevails. But of course, we know this is not the end this ongoing saga so we shall say for now: To be Continued.....

Getting Real on Yonaguni Island

Japan's Defense Ministry has announced the opening of a new radar facility on Yonaguni Island. Never heard of it before? If you love underwater archeology (Or Ancient Astronaut Theory), chances are you have heard of the famous Yonaguni Monument. But getting back to our post, this move on the part of Japan's SDF is a significant one. The Defense Ministry has further announced that it has now stationed 160 troops to maintain this new radar facility on Yonaguni Island (part of Okinawa Prefecture) 60 miles from Taiwan giving Japan a back window into what the PRC is up to in the South China Seas. Naturally, there have been some fierce protests from Beijing that include calls for boycotts of Japanese products. All talk is fine but with the artificial island building (for the purpose of Militarizing the South China Sea) on the part of the PRC in international waters and claims of Chinese Sovereignty far beyond the shores of the Chinese mainland has forced Japan to step up it's game. By establishing this base, Japan will have an early warning should trouble break out with the Chinese Navy. We of course it doesn't come to that. As our Chinese friends would say "it's bad for business." Trust me, war is very bad business and nobody wants that. Let's continue to pray that cooler heads will prevail. 

New American Air Power Arrives in Japan

In a show of force, the United States Air Force deployed half of the 525th Fighter Squadron from Alaska to Yokota Air Base in Japan. The F-22 Raptor is our biggest, baddest 5th Generation Air Superiority Stealth Fighter. No other air force has a plane that can rival the F-22. With recent tensions from North Korea and the Chinese Navy, this deployment is meant to send a strong message to anyone thinking of challenging American Resolve in the region. We sure hope it doesn't come to that but if it does, our allies will know we have their backs and will do what is necessary to provide peace & stability in the Far East.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Sticking it to the Man!

Seen here are Filipino students who camped out on a disputed island which the PRC claims is their own drawing the ire from both Beijing and for some bizarre reason, Taiwan. Beijing claims their little camping trip is illegal but the kids beg to differ and are there to protest the Chinese Navy's recent sovereign claims to Filipino territory. Both the Philippine Government and the PRC claim these little specks of land in the South China Seas as their own. There is a small Filipino military presence on these islands but it's those damn "Meddling Kids" ala Scooby Doo that are driving Beijing nuts. Now that's sticking it to the Man! For a poor 3rd world country with a tiny military and no real means to stand up to the Chinese Navy, it's left to the Philippine Youth taking a stand for their country. Sure, it won't change much but you have to admire them. Be safe out there You crazy kids!

Upping the Ante: China to build 1st Domesticly Constructed Aircraft Carrier?

As 2015 readies to enter the history books, 2016 looks ahead to more tension in the South China Seas as rumors circulate on the internet of the PRC building it's first domestically produced aircraft carrier. Word has it the Chinese Navy is looking to construct four of these large carriers in addition to the recently deployed former Soviet Navy carrier now renamed Liaoning into service. While many are calling this latest development a potential nightmare for the U.S. Navy, rest assured that while the Chinese have money they do not have the experience or technical know how to build a carrier that could rival our new Ford Class carriers. This none the less will present a challenge to the the U.S. Navy and Japan's JMSDF who at present have two Izumo Class carriers (Izumo & Kaga) but lack the capability to launch fixed wing aircraft due to the restrictions of Article 9 of Japan's American imposed post war constitution. This is exactly what the Abe government needs to emphasize to the the people of Japan that their country and national interests are for the first time since WWII under serious threat from across the sea. In our opinion, the defeatist attitudes of Anti-Abe / Anti-War Pacifists currently protesting the slow re-arming of Japan's small yet capable "Self Defense Forces" are not in tune with the alarming developments on the part of the Chinese Navy. Beijing is counting on the Anti-Abe protesters to instill fears of a certain catastrophic defeat like the one Japan endured at the end of August 1945 should any confrontation with China's Navy happen. This of course is Baka! They do this because while they may not fear today's small  JMSDF, they do fear the idea of Japan's small military becoming powerful enough to resurrect the fears of Japan's aggressive past that saw a brutal occupation of Mainland China. But that was then and this is now.

While China's new rumored carriers are years away from completion, they still have one capable carrier that has already put out to sea. Neither the Governments of the Philippines or Vietnam have the muscle (or in Vietnam's case the political will) to meet these challenges poised by Beijing. So like it or not, it is up to the United States Navy and Japan's JMSDF to keep the peace and freedom of movement in the air and on the high seas of the international waters of the South China Seas.While this problem will most certainly get out of hand, we at American Mishima will pray for peace and hopes that Japan continues to upgrade it's SDF so that cooler heads will prevail.

China Sends New Message

As if things could not make a tense situation on the South China Seas any more tense, the Chinese Navy has equipped their Coast Guard with three former warships including a frigate armed with 20 and 35 millimeter auto-cannons as seen in the photo above. This spells trouble for Japanese commercial fishing and international commerce. Evidently, Beijing is trying to send Tokyo a message which furthermore rises tensions in an already escalating tit-for-tat series of provocative moves on the part of the PRC ruling government in Beijing. That or the Chinese Navy is pissed at Japan's SDF forces lining up anti-ship missile batteries on islands that sit between the Chinese mainland and their recent man made island claims which has created this whole mess in the first place. This latest incident marks the 139th incursion into Japanese waters near disputed Senkaku islands since 2012 which Beijing claims is its sovereign territory. Strange, in China's 3000+ year history only now are they claiming islands in the last 4 years? Pretty convenient timing as the PRC flexes it's muscles in an attempt it's growing naval might in an attempt ti both intimidate and dominate it's surrounding neighbors. We'll continue to monitor this situation and give you our take on the ever growing dangerous game being played out now on the South China Seas.

China's Dangerous Game

Earlier this week, the Chinese Navy of the People's Republic of China delivered stern warnings to U.S. Navy P8 Poseidon Surveillance planes flying over the South China Sea with calls to 'Go now!" The hostile tone of the Chinese Navy has many scratching their heads as to what are they really up to in the South China Sea. What's obvious is this build up of military forces on the part of the Chinese is escalating tensions and creating a hostile new cold war in the South China Sea that could easily get out of hand. This new dangerous game occurred as American planes flew over disputed waters which the PRC claims as their own based on historical claims. Really? Let's talk about that.

In recent months has been engaging in island building throughout the South China Sea in what has been international waters. They have brought a fleet of dredges to turn submerged atolls into sizable islands which they claim is for civilian use yet is heavily protected with early warning radar, military sized landing strips, and a small flotilla of warships enough to have made the Imperial Japanese Navy of WWII jealous that they hadn't thought of this first. What's really crazy is that the PRC which up until now could be counted on to contain it's influence to the Asian continent is now expanding deep into international waters hundreds of miles from mainland China. This of course is not sitting well with the governments of Japan, the, Philippines, or Vietnam. The deliberate construction of operational military bases in international waters has also posed a navigational hazard for both commercial sea and air traffic as the Chinese Navy now regards these waters to be the military zones of the PRC which poses not only a problem for the JMSDF, but the U.S. Navy who is entrusted to keep the international shipping lanes and air corridors open. Reminiscent of China's clash with our P-3 Orion in the early 2000's, China seems eager to flex it's muscle. Hence another reason why the Japanese Diet needs to scrap Article 9 so the JMSDF can further bolster it's forces as a key ally of the United States. With the U.S. Navy stretched so thin, we need s stronger JMSDF. We hope that PM Shinzo Abe will continue to rearm Japan to meet this growing threat to peace. Until then, we will write about this as time goes on because we are certain this will not be the last hostile incident between the U.S. Navy and the PRC.