Asia is engaging in the sort of military build-up often is a precursor to war. China's activities in the South and East China Seas, building island bases and claiming the entire area as within their self-defense zone, are well-known. Japan is reported adding naval warships and aircraft to its armaments.
Less well-known are India's activities in building military capabilities in the Nicobar and Andaman islands. The Indian military is lengthening runways on air bases, improving harbors, and adding a second brigade of troops to the islands' garrison. See a Reuters story at Yahoo News.
The Philippines have their own military moves underway, and Vietnam is buying submarines. Plus Taiwan continues to seek military equipment. Tiny but wealthy Singapore is well-armed, flying up-to-date jets and operating high-tech naval patrols.
Vic Hanson, in the post below, says he'd not be surprised if there was shooting in the region a year from now. Sadly, we agree.
