Let's see. We are pivoting to the Pacific to face China's growing power. China's growing military power is being used increasingly aggressively against others, making the case for our pivot.
But our budget difficulties could slash our military and undermine any potential for adding power to the Pacific.
So naturally, when a good ally Japan decides to beef up their military capabilities, we are concerned:
Earlier this week Kyodo news reported that U.S. officials have expressed concern to their Japanese counterparts over Tokyo’s plans to develop the capability to conduct offensive assault operations against other countries in the region.
“One of the American officials attending bilateral talks on foreign and defense policy cooperation late last month in Tokyo asked the Japanese side to consider the possible negative fallout on neighboring countries if the Abe administration embarks on such a policy shift,” Kyodo quoted an unidentified Japanese official as saying.
In what world is it a "concern" that someone on our side wants better defense capabilities?
And keep in mind that Japanese defense expenditures have been sliding down for a decade and a recent proposed increase is at best symbolic.
This nuance thing is really difficult for me to grasp, it seems.
