OPINION

Cobra Gold 2017: Trump’s first move in SEA
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- On February 14 when Admiral Harry B. Harris of US Pacific Command launches the 36th Cobra Gold joint exercise at Uta-pao airbase, it would send a strong signal to the international community that the US remains engaged strategically in the region as before, especially with its long standing friend and ally of nearly 200 years.

 

Over the past two months, President elect Donald Trump and his foreign policy team have made contradictory remarks on future of US foreign agenda in Asia—generating lots of anxieties among the regional leaders. Although it is still unclear which approach Trump would choose—retaining his predecessor’s framework or replace it with a new one. However, the Thai defense officials believed that the incoming administration would do the so-called cherry-picking over the security policy in Southeast Asia.

 

In more ways than one, Harris’ scheduled trip to Thailand will be closely watched as it is significant not only to the strengthening of Thai-US defense cooperation but also to demonstrate the ongoing US firm strategic commitment to the region. Over the past decades, previous US administrations have effectively maintained strong security presence in Asia. However, today’s strategic environment is quite different with growing challenges posed by other major powers including China and Russia.   

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/kavi/30304161

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-16

 

I just sent a email to President elect Trump warning him about dual pricing.

Trump's response;

 

"Thighland, sounds like my kind of place, fix me a 2 week visit right away."

Next headline: Trump tower to built in Pattaya to provide R&R accommodation for Cobra seamen.

Go the Dems.

Cobra Gold - the annual attempt to fix the kit the USA have sold or given the Thais.

 

Trump: "Thailand.  You mean I can get golden shower shows from Russian hookers without being VDO'd by the KGB?  Sign me up!"

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Harris’ scheduled trip to Thailand

Made before Trump becomes POTUS. Trump could easily cancel it or delay it just to spite any foreign policy decision made by POTUS Obama. Or he mught let it go as planned if he perceives it will upset China. Ultimately whether Cobra 2017 goes forward might depend on Putin's feelings about it. Putin is currentlyre-engaging relations with China in what might be part of developing a grand Russian-China Asian hegemony.

Cobra Gold 2017 was planned long before Trump became president elect or even the Republican nominee.  

 

What happens next year will be far more indicative of Trump's foreign policy (or disorganized and uninformed lack thereof).

6 hours ago, jerojero said:

Next headline: Trump tower to built in Pattaya to provide R&R accommodation for Cobra seamen.

Seamen or semen?

Same same.

time to change the name to 'Cobra IOU', the Chinese and Russians and Indians pretty much got all the gold these days. I do wonder if the US will keep the number of participants low again.

 

There is no dual pricing because no other nation is willing to pay to come to Thailand to exercise so there is only the one price: "Too Much" is the standard price and dumb US is willing to pay it over and over and over again.

I read here last year that the current junta will be scaling back the 2017 Cobra Gold military exercises with the U.S. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

On February 14 when Admiral Harry B. Harris of US Pacific Command launches the 36th Cobra Gold joint exercise at Uta-pao airbase

On February 15th the Chinese Admiral will make a visit with a counter offer. On February 16th the Russians will come knocking. 

On 1/16/2017 at 9:46 AM, zaphod reborn said:

Trump: "Thailand.  You mean I can get golden shower shows from Russian hookers without being VDO'd by the KGB?  Sign me up!"

 

Just don't go anywhere near the balconies