chuck
10-09-2008, 11:19 PM
Despite the main focus being on the election race, I like reading up the odd bit of info about the great game that continues regardless of party politics.
Coming on the heels of the 6 billion dollar military aid package to Taiwan (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ic8Xn_aWRe5NctNY-Kg8nLaj-EmwD93J7JVO0) - that hasn't really impressed the Chinese (http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1006/p99s01-duts.html) - comes this small piece of news.
US holds first military talks with Vietnam (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/10/mil-081007-voa03.htm).
There's a few points in there that made me smile.
1. "The Vietnamese military has asked the U.S. to supply spare parts for its American-made helicopters, leftovers from the Vietnam War."
wow - they're going to be pretty old parts. I mean, I know there's plenty of old stock floating around - but that usually goes to the Air National Guard. You know - for guarding Alaska. ;)
2. " Experts generally see the growing U.S.-Vietnamese security relationship as an effort by both to balance rising Chinese power. China and Vietnam have a dispute over the ownership of two island groups in the South China Sea which may hold rich undersea oil deposits.
But Clad says the U.S. wants Vietnam and China to have good relations, to promote regional stability.
Martin Gainsborough, a Vietnam expert at Bristol University in Britain, says the talks carry promise for Vietnam, but also domestic political risks.
"Individual leaders that are, in a sense, fronting this dialogue - they have to be careful personally that they're not seen as leaning too heavily toward the U.S. Again, not least because of the relationship with China," he said.
And that's the kicker isn't it - China is THE player in the region, and it's an interesting balance to walk.
Coming on the heels of the 6 billion dollar military aid package to Taiwan (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ic8Xn_aWRe5NctNY-Kg8nLaj-EmwD93J7JVO0) - that hasn't really impressed the Chinese (http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1006/p99s01-duts.html) - comes this small piece of news.
US holds first military talks with Vietnam (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/10/mil-081007-voa03.htm).
There's a few points in there that made me smile.
1. "The Vietnamese military has asked the U.S. to supply spare parts for its American-made helicopters, leftovers from the Vietnam War."
wow - they're going to be pretty old parts. I mean, I know there's plenty of old stock floating around - but that usually goes to the Air National Guard. You know - for guarding Alaska. ;)
2. " Experts generally see the growing U.S.-Vietnamese security relationship as an effort by both to balance rising Chinese power. China and Vietnam have a dispute over the ownership of two island groups in the South China Sea which may hold rich undersea oil deposits.
But Clad says the U.S. wants Vietnam and China to have good relations, to promote regional stability.
Martin Gainsborough, a Vietnam expert at Bristol University in Britain, says the talks carry promise for Vietnam, but also domestic political risks.
"Individual leaders that are, in a sense, fronting this dialogue - they have to be careful personally that they're not seen as leaning too heavily toward the U.S. Again, not least because of the relationship with China," he said.
And that's the kicker isn't it - China is THE player in the region, and it's an interesting balance to walk.