Another hot spot

Mike Ruppert has long warned about the South China Sea as another hot spot and possible trigger for war.

The South China Sea Is A Mess And The US Needs To Get In The Game

Business Insider,

24 January, 2012

Economies with over 3 billion people ship goods to the U.S. via the South China Sea.

India, China, and chunks of Southeast Asia all push ships through the sea, which acts as kind of a funnel for cargo destined to the West Coast of the United States.

These crowded trade routes sit atop supposedly massive oil and natural gas deposits, with more than half-a-dozen countries holding legitimate claims to overlapping sites.

This potential mess is what prompted Mitt Romney's team to pen the new report “Co-operation from Strength: The United States, China and the South China Sea," a report calling for a bigger U.S. Navy and an increased American presence throughout the area.

The report suggest the following five steps: 

• The U.S. needs a stronger naval presence in South China Sea — raising to its fleet to 346 ships, rather than the 313 currently expected under the Navy's 30-year plan. During the Reagan era, there were almost 600 warships in the Navy as opposed to the current 284.

• The U.S. should develop stronger partners in the Southeast Asia.Countries like Vietnam, which is concerned about being controlled by China; Indonesia, which is interested in protecting its sprawling offshore energy reserves and fish stocks; and India, Japan and South Korea, all looking to keep China's military might in checkwhich seek to balance out power against China.

• US should maintain peace and security in South China Sea, focusing on freedom of navigation. 

• US should promote economic integration with focus on trade.

• US should pursue a realistic relationship with China through active diplomatic and economic engagement supported by growing economy and strong military.

Click HERE to find out what's happening in the South China Sea >