FOX News’ Griff Jenkins reports on the Reagan National Defense Survey that found despite wars in Israel and Ukraine, Americans see China as the country posing the greatest threat to the U.S. over Russia and Iran.
You think America’s tail-between-its-legs departure from Afghanistan was bad? Something even worse is coming in the Pacific, albeit more quietly.
U.S. defenses in the Asia-Pacific center on a defense line running from Japan to Philippines to Taiwan and on to Borneo. The so-called First Island Chain.
Try defending against China along the first island chain without a secure "rear area" in the Central Pacific. And suppose it’s the Chinese in the rear.
The Chinese destroyer Jinan and Russian cruiser Varyag sail in formation after a joint naval exercise in the East China Sea on Dec. 27, 2022. (Sun Fei/Xinhua via Getty Images)
American control of the Central Pacific depends on three treaties – known as Compacts of Free Association (COFA) – with three nations: Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Marshall Islands. These nations and their huge maritime territory comprise most of an "east-west corridor" from Hawaii to the western edge of the Pacific that is essential for U.S. control and military operations in the region.
CHINESE HACKERS HAD ACCESS TO US INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ‘AT LEAST 5 YEARS’ BEFORE DISCOVERY
The COFAs give the United States the legal authority to operate freely and to keep other nations’ militaries out. In other words, military access and control.
As part of the agreements, the three nations receive financial and other support from the U.S., to include the right of citizens to reside and work in America. And one should never forget that COFA state citizens serve in the U.S. military at higher per-capita rates........