Okay, so apparently, Micronesia is the new "it" spot for a good ol' fashioned US-China staring contest. And by "staring contest," I mean potential missile-slinging, island-hopping World War III precursor. Fantastic.
Island Chains and Military Games
Some think tank, the Pacific Center for Island Security (PCIS), has launched the Micronesia Security Monitor (MSM). Catchy name, right? It's supposed to track all the military shenanigans happening in the area. Leland Bettis, some director at PCIS, says the region is about to get "contested." No kidding, Sherlock.
Apparently, Micronesia is part of the "Second Island Chain," which sounds like something out of a low-budget action movie. This chain is supposed to be a backup line of defense if China gets frisky in the "First Island Chain." So, basically, these islands are strategically screwed.
The MSM app highlights stuff like Chinese survey vessels mapping the ocean floor (probably plotting invasion routes, offcourse, or looking for sunken treasure, who knows?) and US-South Korea "Silent Shark" anti-submarine exercises. 'Cause nothing says "peaceful coexistence" like pretending to blow each other up.
Bettis told Newsweek that the tempo of US military exercises and Chinese research vessel activity shows everyone's prepping for a brawl between the Marianas-Palau arc and the Philippines. How comforting. According to Pacific Islands on Front Line of Future US-China War, the Pacific Islands are now on the front line of a potential war between the United States and China.
Missile Mania and Civilian Casualties
Robert Underwood, PCIS chair and former Guam delegate to Congress, points out that both China and North Korea have developed missiles specifically designed to turn Guam into a parking lot. Lovely. The MSM app even shows the range of these weapons. You can practically see the mushroom clouds forming.
China's got this new "scramjet hypersonic missile," the CJ-1000, that could reach the Marshall Islands. Meanwhile, the US is busy turning Guam into an impenetrable fortress, complete with relocated Marines and a fancy missile defense system. And they're also reviving some old WWII runway on Tinian island. Because history always repeats itself, right?
China's Defense Ministry is already whining about the US turning Guam into a "war outpost." Wu Qian, some spokesperson, says it "would not be secure even if it were armed to the teeth." I mean, he's got a point. Seems like a pretty big target painted on Guam.
Greenwood, who I'm guessing is a local, told Newsweek that all this militarization makes the islands more vulnerable. And he's right. The locals feel less secure, and the US hasn't made any plans to protect civilians or ensure they have enough food if things go south. But hey, who cares about the people living there, right? It's all about flexing military muscle.
Whose Fault Is It Anyway?
The Pentagon says the Micronesian region is "essential to maintaining a stable, secure, and free Indo-Pacific." That's PR-speak for "we need to keep China in check." Beijing, of course, dismisses the whole thing as a "China threat" excuse to maintain US military hegemony. Liu Pengyu, some Chinese Embassy spokesperson, says they're all about peace and stability. Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England.
The US is so focused on security that they've ignored economic development in the region, leaving an opening for China to increase its influence. So, basically, we're turning these islands into a war zone while simultaneously giving China a chance to buy their way in. Genius.
Then again, maybe I'm just being cynical. Maybe this is all a perfectly reasonable strategy to deter aggression and promote peace. Maybe the people of Micronesia are thrilled to be on the front lines of a potential global conflict. Maybe pigs will fly.