East Asia’s weakest link

The American-led pushback against Chinese expansion has exposed a critical vulnerability in the Asia-Pacific which Washington believes needs urgent resolution.

Security analysts argue that the failure of its two staunchest Asian allies, Japan and South Korea, to resolve historical grievances puts at risk long-term US regional power-projection.Until this is settled, there can be no creation of a multi-lateral security alliance aimed at keeping in check Chinese influence.

Both Japan and South Korea have firmly-locked security treaties and tens of thousands of US troops stationed on their soil. But their lines of communication go through the Pentagon and not to each other because of mutual antagonism that has increased in recent months. […]

East Asia’s weakest link