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Obama Wars Title: Dear Leader checkmates the Chicoms w/ 2500 troops in Australia Facing the rising influence of China, unprecedented economic turmoil in Europe and defense cuts at home, President Obama announced Wednesday that he is ramping up a U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Obama said he would send 250 Marines to northern Australia next year, the first wave of what is expected to be a force of 2,500 U.S. troops stationed there. The rotating troops will train and perform joint exercises with the Australian military, Obama announced with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The United States also will expand the Air Force's presence down under as part of a revamping of U.S. military strategy just as U.S. troops are preparing to depart Iraq and Afghanistan. "Here is what this region must know: As we end today's wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia Pacific a top priority," he said in an address to the Australian Parliament. "As a result, reductions in U.S. defense spending will not -- I repeat, will not -- come at the expense of the Asia Pacific." Senior administration officials said the troop drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan will only partially cover the new mission's costs, estimates of which the White House says are forthcoming. Obama said the shifting of military forces is necessary to "respond even faster to a wide range of challenges," including security threats, humanitarian crises and disaster relief. He cited the region's rapid economic growth and robust trade activity as additional reasons for strengthening the countries' partnership. The mission broadly represents a shift in U.S. foreign policy away from the Middle East and Europe, where the United States is withdrawing from two wars, foreign policy analysts said. It also underscores the growing threat that the United States is feeling from China's rapid rise as a global superpower. "The main message that I've said not only publicly but also privately to the Chinese is that with their rise comes increased responsibilities," Obama said. "It's important for them to play by the rules of the road." As expected, the Chinese Foreign Ministry is skeptical of U.S. intentions in the region. "To strengthen and enlarge a military alliance -- whether or not this is a kind of appropriate move, whether or not it is in accordance with a region's or the international community's common interest -- we feel that's worth discussing and verifying," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin. The White House brusquely rejected his suggestion. "Well, we think it's perfectly appropriate," said Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser of strategic communications. Obama meanwhile insisted that the United States is not "scared" of China, nor is it trying to "exclude" China. But in his remarks, he flexed U.S. diplomatic and military muscle. "We will preserve our unique ability to project power and deter threats to peace ... and we will constantly strengthen our capabilities," Obama said. "The United States is a Pacific power and we are here to stay."
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#1. To: Happy Quanzaa (#0)
No word on the cost. ;} How many wars can the USSA start?
#2. To: mcgowanjm (#1)
Barry will just borrow more money from the Chinese to stop the Chinese.
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