Interventionist Blinken's Southeast Asia Tour

by Stephen Lendman

Following last week's G7 summit in Liverpool, England, Blinken and ministers subservient to US hegemonic interests falsely accused Moscow of a "military build-up and aggressive rhetoric towards Ukraine" that doesn't exist.

Next on Blinken's schedule is showing up in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand on December 13-16 with escalating US war on China by other means on his mind to push.

When undertaken, his foreign travels are also all about making sure officials of vassal states visited remember who's boss — barking orders, wanting them obeyed.

His Southeast Asia tour has nothing to do with promoting "a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

It's all about aiming to firm up maximum support for hegemon USA's anti-China aims.

Jakarta, Indonesia kicked off his four-day regional tour on Monday at a time when the Biden regime aims to harden military and strategic partnerships in a part of the world not its own.

According to regional analysts, ASEAN is a "key (hegemon USA) battlefield" against China.

At the same time, most Indo-Pacific countries prioritize good relations with both countries.

They oppose allying with one against the other.

In early December, Biden regime army secretary Christine Wormuth called for expanding hegemon USA's footprint in ASEAN in preparation for possible conflict with China.

In most parts of the world, Washington delivers little while demanding everything from other nations.

According to Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) analyst Michael Green:

The US approach in the Asia/Pacific (true as well elsewhere) "is like having Thanksgiving dinner without turkey, just cranberry sauce and stuffing." 

"Meanwhile, China…offer(s) (its allies) steak."

Beijing seeks partnerships while respecting the sovereign rights of other countries.

US policy is worlds apart, seeking dominance over other nations, notably by hostile means if diplomatic ones don't achieve sought aims.

Commenting on Blinken's Southeast Asia tour, Emeritus Professor of Politics/Southeast Asia expert Carl Thayer said the Biden regime's aim to form an alliance of "allies and partners willing to counter China is unlikely to be realized."

In cahoots with its anti-China agenda, Japan's foreign ministry said Blinken and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayahi agreed on the need "to bolster the deterrence and response capabilities of the (G7 and ASEAN) amid the increasingly harsh security environment (sic)."

For the US, Japan is a key partner in trying to counter China, an aim highly unlikely to succeed.

Trade with China is vital for Indo/Pacific countries.

In 2020, ASEAN nations surpassed EU ones to become Beijing's largest trading partner.

In November, China and ASEAN formed a comprehensive strategic partnership for regional peace, stability and development that includes a greater degree of mutual cooperation.

At the time, Xi Jinping said the following:

"This is a new milestone in the history of our relations and will inject new impetus into peace, stability, prosperity and development in our region and the world," adding:

Beijing will always be ASEAN's good neighbor, friend, and partner. 

According to Beijing-based Center for Southeast Asian Studies' director Xu Liping:

"China-ASEAN cooperation in the future will not be limited just to this region, but will have global significance."

Other regional analysts believe that Sino/ASEAN relations prioritize cooperation and friendship over conflicts and disagreements, the latter to be addressed diplomatically.

Xi promised around $1.5 billion in development and economic aid to ASEAN countries over the next three years.

A China/ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Enhancing Program includes invitations for around 300 ASEAN scientists to work with their Chinese counterparts in the country during the next five years.

In stark contrast to China's cooperative outreach to ASEAN and other nations, hegemon USA seeks dominance.

Promises Blinken is likely to make on his Southeast tour no doubt will be followed by delivering little if things ahead follow past practices.

Malaysia-based Center for New Inclusive Asia president Koh King Kee said the following:

"ASEAN members most probably will take their cue from the US' recent chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan without due consultation with its allies." 

"In the eyes of many, the US is a self-centered superpower that cannot be trusted," adding:

"(N)o country is likely to join (a) US-led 'Asian NATO' " that could unsettle and impede trade, economic and development ties with China.

Separately, China's official People's Daily called the Biden regime's farcical summit for democracy "a tired hurrah for an enervated monarch refusing to accept his decline."

Beijing also called US fantasy democracy "a weapon of mass destruction" to impose its will on the world community of nations.