The timing of providing arms is important and not the arms itself.
The timing and the political message is what is loaded.
One does not see geo strategy and geopolitics in isolation or as a case by case issue. It is observe in the overall context. Ms Hillary Clinton pronouncement about the South Sea being of strategic importance to the US sums up the issue beyond any quibbling.
And add to it what you call political rhetoric of US Congresspeople.
Sabre rattling?
I wonder if one is to take the pronouncements in the US Congress lightly as if it was not material.
What may have slipped the observer who has not opened the link is that the statement was not made by any political lightweight.
It was stated by the chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee.
Am I to understand that a Chairman of a House Committee is taken to be a person prone to garrulity and is a flighty light headed person?
I am not too conversant as to how a Chairman of a Committee is selected in the US Congress, but I would be surprised if any old Tom, Di.ck and Harry can be the Chairman and that too who has the propensity to shoot his/ her mouth at the drop of a hat.
More the merrier was the aim of President Obama's visit to Asia and the earlier visits to Asia by Ms Hillary Clinton to Asia.
It shows that the US strong defence of its allies and others in the South China Seas has sent the message to China, so much so, that instead of bulldozing, it is trying to slow down and show 'maturity'.Vietnam and China to conduct a joint patrol in Tonkin Gulf - China Defense Blog - June 19, 2011.
China is a very careful country. It will not back down, but will use the prevailing parameters to calm the situation without 'losing face', and then will seek opportunities when it is in a position to seize the initiative.
The answer is simple.
This enemy - Vietnam - continues to be Communist - the raison d’ętre for the US intervention in Vietnam. Therefore, any rapprochement is not taken to be within the ambit of a day's work done.
I would be surprised if the US would not be the last country to forget Vietnam in a jiffy. Without going into details, suffice it so say that Vietnam does not evoke pleasant memories in the US.
Other enemies of the US have been soundly defeated.
That I presume could be the difference.
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