Stoke China's Fears | Ted Galen Carpenter | Cato Institute: Commentary

Stoke China's Fears | Ted Galen Carpenter | Cato Institute: Commentary: "By reiterating Washington's commitment to extended deterrence — especially the nuclear component — U.S. officials send a message to Chinese leaders that they don't need to worry about Japan (or South Korea) developing an independent deterrent."

"Even as Japanese and South Korean leaders insist that North Korea poses a serious threat, they persist with anemic defense budgets. Although it shares a border with perhaps the most ruthless and unpredictable country in the world, South Korea spends less than 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product on the military. Seoul continues to rely on the United States for critical elements of its defense, especially air and naval power.

Security free riding is also alive and well in Japan. Indeed, South Korea's military effort seems robust compared to Japan's. Despite North Korea's repeated saber-rattling, Tokyo spends a paltry 0.9 percent of its GDP on defense, and that situation may get even worse under the new left-leaning government."