US military meddling

As ready proof of its strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific, the United States is leading two military exercises in the region right now. While the largest-ever Rim of the Pacific naval exercises involving the US and 21 Asia-Pacific countries are in full swing in Hawaii, the US and the Philippines are also conducting naval exercises in the Mindanao Sea.

Last month the US staged a drill with the Republic of Korea in waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. This came hard on the heels of a drill with the ROK and Japan in the Yellow Sea.

Amid lingering tensions in Northeast Asia, people cannot help but ask what is the real intention behind such brazen showboating of military muscle in the region. By staging bilateral, trilateral and multilateral military drills with allies and partners in the region, it seems the US has a multiple agenda.