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Five Thoughts on New China Article

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I just read a thoughtful article by Michael O'Hanlon and James Steinberg, posted at Brookings and Foreign Policy titled Don't Be a Menace to South (China Sea) . It addresses thorny questions regarding China as President Obama visits South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. I wanted to share five quick thoughts on the article, fully appreciating I don't have all the answers to this complex strategic problem. 1. "Many in China see the U.S. rebalance as ill-disguised containment, while many in the United States see Chinese military modernization and territorial assertiveness as strong indications that Beijing seeks to undermine Washington's alliances and drive the United States from the Western Pacific." I agree with these statements as being perceptions by both sides, but I also think they are closer to the truth than what the authors believe. I recommend Dr Ashley Tellis' monograph  Balancing Without Containment: An American Strategy for