Anybody who can read a fricken map cannot walk away thinking "Yeah, the Chinese have a valid claim there"! There are four other nations much closer to the
disputed islands.
Their ships are clearly spy vessels, they are there to monitor others more than to assert their claim. If they were serious about the latter there would be capital warships cruising, not Cho-Com spook ships!
Panetta might "hope it doesn't come to that" but even a fool knows if you fail to be seen actively supporting Japan (deploying ships!) you are annouoncing to the Chi-Com's you are not that serious about standing by your ally. Either they are our ally and it is strategically important to maintain them as an ally or they are not. Which is it Leon?
Or as you put it so eloquently CO, use the
salve or offer the
salve to them!
(Bullish on KY sales either way!)