U.S. Beefs Up Military Options for China as Obama Reassures Allies in Asia

Source: Wall Street Journal

The U.S. military has prepared options for a muscular response to any future Chinese provocations in the South and East China seas, ranging from displays of B-2 bomber flights near China to aircraft-carrier exercises near its coastal waters, officials said.

The menu of options, described by officials briefed on the action plan, reflects concerns that U.S. allies in Asia have questions about the Obama administration's commitments to its security obligations, particularly after Russia's seizure of the Crimean peninsula.

The security question has closely followed President Barack Obama in recent days during his four-country Asian trip.

Washington's closest allies in Asia have told American counterparts that Crimea is seen as a possible litmus test of what Washington will do if China attempted a similar power grab in the South China and East China seas, according to current and former U.S. officials.


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