World View: Philippine Typhoon Disaster Draws Clear Lines Between US, China

This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

• Philippine typhoon disaster draws clear lines between US and China
• Saudi Arabia denies reports of cooperation with Israel over Iran
• Tensions grow along India’s border with Myanmar

Philippine typhoon disaster draws clear lines between US and China

China’s hospital ship, the ‘Peace Ark’

China is still receiving international criticism over its stingy aidresponse to the disaster that occurred on its doorstep, when TyphoonHaiyan, the largest typhoon on record, completely destroyed dozens ofPhilippines cities, killing thousands. The irony is that China’shospital ship, the “Peace Ark,” is one of the newest and biggesthospital ships in the world, and just returned from a four-monthpublic relations trip, visiting eight countries in Asia and Africa,treating thousands of patients during goodwill stops, and pledging towork with out navies. But all that public relations work has beenbecause when it comes to the Philippines, the Peace Ark stayed home,matching China’s paltry aid donations.

On the other hand, the U.S. response has been breathtaking. Inaddition to $20 million in aid, the USS George Washington nuclearpowered aircraft carrier was deployed, along with about 50 ships andaircraft, including 10 C-130 transport planes, 12 V-22 Ospreys and 14Seahawk helicopters air-dropping supplies.

The contrast between the two responses has been enormous, and theresponses send important messages. The message from the Chinese isthat the Philippines is an enemy. One Chinese military strategy iswin a short, decisive war with Vietnam, the Philippines or Japan, andthen everyone else would do as China demands. The other part of thisstrategy is that the Americans would “run like rabbits.”

The message from the U.S. is that the Americans would not run likerabbits, and that the U.S. would defend its ally, the Philippines.CS Monitor and Reuters

Saudi Arabia denies reports of cooperation with Israel over Iran

Saudi Arabia and Israel don’t have formal diplomatic relations, buteven so, for months there have been unconfirmed reports that theSaudis and Israelis were making plans for a military strike to preventIran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The reports become more frequentin the last few weeks, as both the Saudis and Israelis have becomeincreasingly furious that the Obama administration has betrayed themon issues surrounding Iran and Syria.

On Sunday, the London Times claimed to have facts to back up themilitary plans. According to the paper, Saudi Arabia will let Israeluse its airspace in a military strike, and will cooperate with Israelover the use of rescue helicopters, tanker plans, and drones.

However, on Monday a Saudi foreign ministry spokesman said thatthe report was “completely unfounded”:

“[The kingdom] has no relations or contacts withIsrael of any kind or at any level.”

Times of Israel and Al-Jazeera

Tensions grow along India’s border with Myanmar

India’s plans to build a fence along the border with Myanmar (Burma)are causing protests among the numerous tribes that live along theborder. The border is an artificial line that cuts across houses andvillages, dividing several tribes, such as the Singphos, Nagas, Kukisand Mizos. The result is that the tribes refuse to recognize theborder, and refuse to allow a fence to be built. The fence is neededbecause the border is infested with numerous insurgencies that aretaking advantage of the ability of tribal members to pass back andforth easily between the two countries. Insurgents cross into Myanmarto receive training in arms, and return to carry out subversiveactivities. The border has become the main conduit for trafficking ofarms and high quality heroine from Myanmar, as well as trafficking ofwomen and children. Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA – India)

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