The geopolitical configuration of the Far East is changing with astonishing rapidity. Consider the following developments:
The Obama Administration has declared that its foreign and defense policies will “pivot” to Asia, in this case, meaning the Far East.
The hawks clearly came out ahead in the Chinese government changeover.
There is a tremendous buildup of the military forces of China, which are being constantly and aggressively deployed throughout the region, asserting Chinese sovereignty or suzerainty over huge swaths of the western Pacific.
The Japanese election returned the LDP to power with a large majority in the lower house. The LDP campaign pledged to eliminate the constitutional restrictions on Japanese military forces.
North Korea has launched a satellite into space, demonstrating a potential ability to launch a nuclear attack as far away as the United States.
What does all this mean?