LOL, Japan says "charge it!", Chicoms all upset-like

[Lettow77]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/china-japan-heading-towards-war-says-us-defence-secretary-leon-panetta/story-e6frg6so-1226475484583

Panetta's comments here were very lukewarm and unreassuring- he acts as if it isn't clear who is doing the provocations and warmongering, and as if one was not our firm all in the region and the other our strategic enemy. This sort of behaviour strikes me as being encouraging to China.

[Grinning_Colossus]

1,000 Chinese fishing boats are heading for the islands, daring the Japanese to arrest them.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120917x1.html

[Darth Wagtaros]

They should arrest them. 

[Razgovory]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/china-japan-heading-towards-war-says-us-defence-secretary-leon-panetta/story-e6frg6so-1226475484583

Panetta's comments here were very lukewarm and unreassuring- he acts as if it isn't clear who is doing the provocations and warmongering, and as if one was not our firm all in the region and the other our strategic enemy. This sort of behaviour strikes me as being encouraging to China.

What's this "our" stuff all of a sudden?

[Martinus]

If China does decide to enforce claims militarily, the US will be treaty-bound to intervene on Japan's behalf.

So WWIII will start over some uninhabited Islands?  Well I suppose that is as good of a reason as a dead Habsburg.

Would that qualify as a world war, though, or would you expect other countries to join in too?

[Martinus]

Panetta's comments here were very lukewarm and unreassuring- he acts as if it isn't clear who is doing the provocations and warmongering, and as if one was not our firm allnazi-loving competitor in the region and the other our strategic enemybiggest creditor. This sort of behaviour strikes me as being encouraging to China.

FYPFY.

[Grey Fox]

If China does decide to enforce claims militarily, the US will be treaty-bound to intervene on Japan's behalf.

So WWIII will start over some uninhabited Islands?  Well I suppose that is as good of a reason as a dead Habsburg.

Would that qualify as a world war, though, or would you expect other countries to join in too?

If it goes Japan - USA then it goes USA - NATO in a matter of seconds really.

[Martinus]

If China does decide to enforce claims militarily, the US will be treaty-bound to intervene on Japan's behalf.

So WWIII will start over some uninhabited Islands?  Well I suppose that is as good of a reason as a dead Habsburg.

Would that qualify as a world war, though, or would you expect other countries to join in too?

If it goes Japan - USA then it goes USA - NATO in a matter of seconds really.

How come? A conflict in the Pacific wouldn't constitute a casus foederis for NATO and I find it hard to believe Europeans would jump so eagerly on a prospect of a war with one of their biggest trading partners.

[alfred russel]

Would that qualify as a world war, though, or would you expect other countries to join in too?

It is almost a zen question you pose...Only a few countries enter a war, but the nuclear exchanges irradiate everyone and humanity is destroyed. Should that be considered a world war?

[jimmy olsen]

If China does decide to enforce claims militarily, the US will be treaty-bound to intervene on Japan's behalf.

So WWIII will start over some uninhabited Islands?  Well I suppose that is as good of a reason as a dead Habsburg.

Would that qualify as a world war, though, or would you expect other countries to join in too?

US & Japan vs. China (at minimum) would have the world's three largest economies fighting it out. By themselves I don't think it would qualify as a world war, but it could easily spread.

[alfred russel]

How come? A conflict in the Pacific wouldn't constitute a casus foederis for NATO and I find it hard to believe Europeans would jump so eagerly on a prospect of a war with one of their biggest trading partners.

I don't think the US would be so keen on such a war either.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Panetta's comments here were very lukewarm and unreassuring- he acts as if it isn't clear who is doing the provocations and warmongering, and as if one was not our firm allnazi-loving competitor in the region and the other our strategic enemybiggest creditor. This sort of behaviour strikes me as being encouraging to China.

FYPFY.

Incorrect. China is not the US' biggest creditor.

[CountDeMoney]

If it goes Japan - USA then it goes USA - NATO in a matter of seconds really.

Nah.  NATO not necessary.  The defense pact is between the US and Japan.  Euroweenies have no dog in the fight.

[Darth Wagtaros]

If it goes Japan - USA then it goes USA - NATO in a matter of seconds really.

Nah.  NATO not necessary.  The defense pact is between the US and Japan.  Euroweenies have no dog in the fight.

Nor a fighting spirit or military.

[Grey Fox]

All that's good until a run away balloon bombs US Soil. You won't use Clause #5 then?