China Rising

China has a booming economy. It has more and more overseas trade interests and overseas sources of raw materials. Much of the trade flow in and out of China goes through some strategic chokepoints. And it has what it considers to be a rebellious province offshore.

Of course China is going to be very much interested in building up its military, with an emphasis on an ability to project power. And of course, the US is going to find that disquieting.

Most major trade powers throughout history have had a significant naval capability as well as the capability to project some level of power ashore at great distances. The only exception to that historical rule has been Japan since World War II and even the Japanese are showing signs of reverting to the historical rule. Power in foreign affairs does indeed come from the barrel of a gun and has for millennia.

That there seem to be people in the Bush Administration who do not understand that speaks volumes as to the level of ignorance in the Bush Administration.

That the Bush Administration seems to have thought that the US would forever have a monopoly on the ability to project power following the fall of the USSR speaks volumes to their arrogance.