13 December 2009

Good news for Southeast Asia...

and thus for the whole world. Indonesia is continuing to modernize its "maritime forces" (Navy and Coast Guard both) to be able to defend its own waterways.

Why should the rest of us care? Because the less the world has to rely on the US Navy to keep it open, the less China has to worry about the straits down there. (I know, it's an open debate as to whether the US could really cut off Chinese shipping. But the less ammunition given to those in China who argue the point, the better.) Because it also allows the US Navy to draw down a little without major world upset (which is likely as long as our budget is so out of whack. It's much easier to cut big ships than troop strength.)

Also, Indonesia has long over-focused on its land war capabilities. This is a good step for Indonesia and stability.

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