Thailand Upstaged At Cobra Gold

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Thailand upstaged at Cobra Gold

The Nation

A soldier gets to grips with a cobra

By inviting Myanmar to join the annual military exercise, the US has signalled it has a new No 1 partner in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK: -- It was inevitable that the US would eventually initiate some form of military cooperation with Myanmar, but few expected that it would come so early. Washington's invitation for Nay Pyi Taw to join the annual Cobra Gold US-Thai military exercise is a reward for Myanmar's rapid process of reform. It also demonstrates just how desperate the US is to make trade inroads into a country that has been isolated from the international community for the past five decades.

Given that nearly all trade sanctions against Myanmar have been lifted, it is natural that military ties are now in the offing. The invitation to join Cobra Gold is a clear signal that Washington wants to incorporate Myanmar into its much-publicised security "pivot" away from the Middle East and towards Asia-Pacific. As such, Washington's ongoing engagement with the region's powers has moved to a strategic level, aimed at countering China's growing influence in the region. This is, of course, something the US government continues to deny.

For the past three decades Myanmar has relied on military aid and technical know-how from Russia, China, Pakistan and North Korea. After the sudden improvement in its relations with the US, Myanmar is looking to forge closer ties with other Western countries as well. Of course this relationship will eventually lead to arms sales and other forms of military aid and training. As such, it will further embed the US military presence in the Bay of Bengal, a strategic linchpin and gateway to the Indian Ocean for both Washington and Beijing. For decades China has been establishing links to the Indian Ocean, ultimately building a 770-kilometre pipeline between Yunnan and Myanmar's port of Kyaukphyu on the bay.

For its part, Washington has reiterated that any further US military ties depend on Myanmar upholding its commitment to respect human rights and democratisation. The US has been pressuring Nay Pyi Taw to do more - release political prisoners and allow international monitoring of its prison system. It seems clear that Myanmar is willing to comply in its bid to gain the full trust of Washington, which will no doubt lead to further strategic moves against China.

By bringing Myanmar into Cobra Gold, the US clearly intends to turn the US-Thai military "games" into a loose multinational military arrangement. For the past three decades, and especially during the Cold War era, the two allies have used the exercise to showcase their determination to quell any communist threat. Since that threat subsided, the exercise has focused on peacekeeping, disaster management/relief, and rescue operations, especially since the 2004 tsunami.

It is clear that the purpose of Cobra Gold will once again be transformed as US foreign policy focuses more strongly on countries that participate in the annual exercise. Thailand, the principle partner in Cobra Gold, has yet to create a long-term strategic blueprint for its unique geo-political position. Meanwhile Myanmar has the potential to be a game-changer for Washington's efforts to maintain US influence in Asia, because of its clear-cut diplomatic and security direction. So far, this kind of foreign-policy certainty is something Thailand has not managed to summon.

-- The Nation 2012-10-24

[Thai at Heart]

Paranoid much?

[jackr]

'Upstaged'? Perturbed maybe.

[FOODLOVER]

Why bother with the ridiculousness that is this administration, next!

[khunron13]

"By inviting Myanmar to join the annual military exercise, the US has signalled it has a new No 1 partner in Southeast Asia"

That is an asinine statement!

[siampolee]

Astute political move to get the American foot in the door on a military supply basis and also a domestic business basis.

Being as the Americans are somewhat paranoid concerning the Chinese influence in the region and I suppose the Chinese influence in Thailand to a lesser degree it is an understandable move.

Thailand needs to wake up to the fact that playing the Prima Donna nation of the region is not a wise game, the shape of things to come is changing in this world.

Myanmar has a wealth of natural resources which as yet have been little exploited to date, Thailand is not in such a position, the global village is ever changing and Thailand will if it's not careful find its self on the sidelines if it doesn't rise to the challenges offered.

[Orac]

What next from The Nation - maybe the US are arming Myanmar so they can invade Thailand again??? Nothing beats a bit of nationalist rhetoric to get the juices flowing.

[asiawatcher]

The US can easily have corroborative ties with Burma without any necessity of military involvement but then that would not suit its 'profile' and since their 'weather observation post' at Utapao has been shelved Burma is an obvious option. And yes the already stated and concluded incentives of the US' paranoia towards China must really have them laughing at the Yanks.

[Tatsujin]

Thanks Thailand, you've been great, but I've found someone else.

Best wishes and good luck in the future.

Yours,

The President of the Good ol' USA

Edited October 24, 2012 by Tatsujin

[lemonjelly]

Thai soap opera tantrum mentality scribed by a muppet for mass consumption by nationalistic xenophobes.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Referring to the picture, we had one of those cobras in our back yard 2 days ago. Not cool.

New no.1 partner in Asia? Yeah, right.

Even though the Thai Army at one meeting in 2011 bluntly stated to a group of visiting US 1 star generals that the PRC's influence is increasing in Thailand, formally the US and Thailand are still strategic partners in the region.

[GentlemanJim]

Wakey wakey Thailand, smell the coffee, maybe USA no love you long time. A signal that despite the diplomatic statements Thailand has really pissed off the US Administration over Utapao. I wonder if Myanmar can also provide the US with quality rice?

[WhizBang]

I have been saying for a while that as Burma rises, Thailand falls.

Whether Burma can sustain it's rise, remains to be seen. But between the potential rising of Burma and the looming AEC, Thailand NEEDS to get it's act together if it is to survive. Thailand's future is not bright if it cannot overcome the current situitation of massive corruption and lawlessness. And let's not overlook the much needed massive top to bottom reform of the police.

[DP25]

By inviting Myanmar to join the annual military exercise, the US has signalled it has a new No 1 partner in Southeast Asia

That is an incredibly stupid comment. Slow news day I guess, have to push out an editorial over nothing to fill the paper.

[TomTao]

Maybe this is a much needed wakup call for the Thai government, the U.S may not be ready to sever ties with Thailand, but even the slightest hint of a lessening of those ties should be enough for the Thai government to change the way it deals with the big players, between the weakening of the nation's position as a major rice exporter thanks to the rice pledging scheme to the overt corruption that infects this nation and the soap opera hissy fits, Thailand needs to have a good look at itself and the long term ramifications in this ever changing world.

[Payboy]

Strategic alliance is probably the least of all reasons Cobra Gold is held in Thailand.

Above post may contain matter offensive to some. Parental guidance is advised.

[EvilDrSomkid]

I have been saying for a while that as Burma rises, Thailand falls.

Whether Burma can sustain it's rise, remains to be seen. But between the potential rising of Burma and the looming AEC, Thailand NEEDS to get it's act together if it is to survive. Thailand's future is not bright if it cannot overcome the current situitation of massive corruption and lawlessness. And let's not overlook the much needed massive top to bottom reform of the police.

The (geo-political) rise of Burma and fall of Thailand are not directly connected, let's keep that in mind. Economically, they are very connected. Gas and trade.

Another fact to keep in mind is that corruption and conflict of interest is even worse in Burma, hard as it may seem.

Also, don't forget the Dawei (Tavoy) deep sea port project has large Thai investments. Yingluck has been over there to consolidate Shin clan interests. I wonder which companies will get the contracts for building the Dawei - Kanchanaburi - Bangkok highway?

Edited October 24, 2012 by EvilDrSomkid

[sunshine51]

"Thailand upstaged at Cobra Gold"

What a load of BS....by the way Nation...you also

easily didn't mention the other participants....

Indonesian, Japanese, Malaysian, Singaporean and

South Korean forces...plus more from other nations.

Dates for the next Cobra Gold not confirmed yet

but usually April-May...that said 2012 CG was

held in Feb this year.

http://www.stripes.c...nksEnabled=true

Edited October 24, 2012 by sunshine51

[DrTuner]

Cobra Gold ? They coming to Pattaya this year ? If so, have to alert a few women in Isaan who are hunting for US hubbies

[sunshine51]

Cobra Gold ? They coming to Pattaya this year ? If so, have to alert a few women in Isaan who are hunting for US hubbies

I reckon they'll be all over the country. I bet this Marine would prefer

an Isaan babe to help him with eating this instead of DIYing it!

[h90]

What next from The Nation - maybe the US are arming Myanmar so they can invade Thailand again??? Nothing beats a bit of nationalist rhetoric to get the juices flowing.

Well it is understandable....The support doesn't come for free, a lot bribe money, and if Myanmar gets a part of the cake, the Thai politicians get less.

[smedly]

this thai government hesitated recently when requests were made by the US for the use of Thai resources, I'd say although not obvious at present there is a China influence developing here, what we heard publically although quite shocking in it's own right was likely nothing compared to what went on behind closed doors, it was pretty obvious to me that whatever went on the US was extremely pissed with this administration - it would appear that foreign policy (along with the rest) are not a strength - hardly surprising and a real bad move to piss of the US - that could be costly

[marstons]

USA have already shared military manouvers with the Vietnamese, cant say as i blame the USA for wanting to spread its wings and not be soley reliant on Thailand in the region. The NASA thing played into the USA hands i would think.

[EvilDrSomkid]

From foreignpolicy.com:

"Indications that the U.S.'s historically close relationship with Thailand and the region is being challenged by the rise of China have become increasingly evident in recent years in a variety of arenas, not just economically but diplomatically, culturally, politically, and even in some security areas. A U.S.-educated Thai Army Colonel at the National Defense College shocked a group of U.S. one-star officers visiting as part of the CAPSTONE program in the fall of 2008 by stating bluntly: 'The Thai perceive regional power dynamics as follows: China is rising; the U.S. is distracted/declining; and Thailand will adjust its policies accordingly.'"

[PoodMaiDai]

The Boy Scouts Of America could upstage them. Probably isn't very difficult. ;-)