The Modern Tokyo Times

International news and neglected issues

Russia in the vanguard against America and NATO: Missile Defense System and Japan


Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The two-party system in America which maintains the endless power mechanisms century after century, finds it difficult to support a world based on special interests. Instead, irrespective if a Democratic government or Republican government, it is one endless system based on the containment of perceived threats. Therefore, President Obama is following on from George W. Bush with regards to the missile defense system. It is once more apparent that politicians in Washington care little about a world based on mutual respect, special interests, understanding the geopolitics of other major powers, and so forth.

According to America and NATO the missile defense system is aimed at protecting nations from Iran and North Korea. This is clearly manipulating reality because how is North Korea a threat to mainland America and NATO members?  After all, which nation and military alliance invades other nations and controls vast military resources? Yes, of course this applies to America and NATO. However, in the world of “reality” and “unreality,” political leaders in Washington just have to keep on pressing ahead with their power mechanisms along with NATO.

Iran could not even defeat Iraq during the brutal war between both nations (1980-1988). Also, which nations did Iran and North Korea invade in the last 50 years? Of course, the situation on the Korean peninsula is delicate but the status quo is maintained because of many factors. Indeed, if North Korea collapsed then this would highlight the “sham” of the real objectives of America in northeast Asia. After all, the bigger picture for America is containing China and the Russian Federation.

Therefore, ironically, the status quo on the Korean peninsula isn’t such a bad thing for America. If North Korea did collapse, then what would be the reasons behind the continuing presence of American forces in Japan and South Korea? Japan, on the other hand, is concerned about nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea and the ongoing militarization of the armed forces of China.

Japan also is beset with territorial disputes with China, the Russian Federation, South Korea, and Taiwan. However, Japan and Taiwan have very good relations and the economic angle between China and Japan is continuing to strengthen. Despite this, Japan is rightly concerned about the militarization of China. Also, many other regional nations which share territorial disputes with China feel the same. Therefore, it is essential for Japan to build-up stronger relations with India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other nations. At the same time, Japan also needs to develop stronger ties with China providing this is reciprocal.

Turning back to the proposed missile defense system by America and NATO, it is clear that this is raising tensions with Moscow. However, political leaders in Moscow are not interested in “a new Cold War” because the Russian Federation wants to see a world based on greater understanding. This applies to respecting the changing nature of the power dynamics of the twenty-first century and respecting international law.

The economic power of nations who belong to the BRICS group (Brazil, China, India, the Russian Federation, and South Africa) is extremely high. President Hu Jintao of China commented about the BRICS group thatThese countries form an important part of common development of the world, which is conducive to a more balanced world economy, more reasonable international relations, more effective global governance and more durable world peace…..It is consistent with the trend of times characterized by peace, development and co-operation, and fully conducive to building a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity.”

Nations which comprise of the BRICS group don’t have a military angle like NATO but these countries want to see a world whereby greater international transparency emerges. The United States have invaded or supported proxies since World War Two in Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, El Salvador, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Libya, North Korea/South Korea (Korean War), Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan/Bangladesh (West Pakistan/East Pakistan war), Panama, Philippines, Syria, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia. The list could have included others but clearly the point is that tens of millions of people have been killed by America’s direct involvement in these conflicts or because of America supporting proxy armies to do its bidding.

Clearly, the world was complex during the Cold War because America and the Soviet Union had no qualms about abusing power mechanisms. Also, in some conflicts America may have had good intentions where the political angle wasn’t the real motive but these are few and far. It also must be stated that other powers have been involved in supporting bloodshed and brutal dictators have also killed untold numbers. However, for political leaders in Washington it is clear that no continent is beyond their meddling and so-called special interests.

NATO for its part is firmly based on the northern hemisphere and of special interests are the Russian Federation, China, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans. Central Asia is an area where America and NATO can reach into the underbelly of China and the Russian Federation therefore this area is of major strategic importance. However, the Russian Federation doesn’t desire to have such hostilities with political leaders in Washington but the encroachment of NATO, despite the demise of the Cold War, is clear evidence that Moscow is deemed with suspicion.

Therefore, Obama’s support of the missile defense system may be “the final nail in the coffin” for Moscow because clearly North Korea and Iran isn’t the issue. Anatoly Serdyukov, Russian Defense Minister, stated that talks with Washington and NATO over the defense missile system were close to a dead end.”

Gen Nikolai Makarov, the Russian defense staff, stated that “A decision to use destructive force pre-emptively will be taken if the situation worsens.” Therefore, once more political leaders in Washington are creating tensions rather than understanding the genuine concerns of other nations. Gen Nikolai Makarov also made it clear that if a European shield came into fruition then Moscow would increase its warheads to be even more destructive. However, this crisis shouldn’t even be on the map and the same applies to NATO expansion despite the demise of the Soviet Union.

Turning back to Japan, a nation which is helping the international community greatly by its economic support of major institutions, for example the United Nations and International Monetary Fund; it is vital that political leaders in Tokyo don’t become embroiled in America’s containment policies of the Russian Federation. After all, Japan and the Russian Federation have much to offer each other. This applies to high technology and major investments from Japan – and from the side of the Russian Federation, it applies to energy pipelines and other natural resources. Therefore, it is essential that both Moscow and Tokyo move closer together because leaders in the Russian Federation don’t have any ill will towards Northeast Asia.

Indeed, if relations began to blossom between Japan and the Russian Federation, then this would strengthen both nations throughout this very strategic region. Japan’s main concerns internationally are China and North Korea. Domestically it applies to energy related issues　and implementing a diverse energy policy. Therefore, political leaders in Moscow could wield their influence on China in order to strengthen ties between Japan and China. At the same time, the special relationship between America and Japan should co-exist but within a framework of greater parity for Japan. This would be a win-win situation for Japan because it would create greater stability for the people of Northeast Asia.

It is essential that political leaders in Moscow remain firm and seek to create greater international mechanisms which prevent the ongoing containment policies of Washington and NATO. China, the Russian Federation, Iran, and other nations, within the containment policies of Washington, have American forces within a close proximity of their respective nations. How would Americans feel if these nations did the same and developed bases in Canada and Mexico – and then developed a new defense missile system in the backyard of America – would Americans welcome this?

Political leaders in Moscow and Beijing want more honesty and neither nation is interested in creating tensions with Washington. On the contrary, both nations are seeking greater economic, political, and cultural ties with nations internationally. It is time for political leaders in Washington to escape their ongoing “Cold War mentality” and interventionist policies, which often backfire and cause even more chaos.

Meanwhile for Japan it is essential to maintain its special relationship with America but based on greater parity. At the same time, Japan must develop a greater strategy to overcome territorial disputes with regional nations and to strengthen relations with the Russian Federation. This will help Japan greatly to develop a more diverse energy policy and increase its dealings with China.

The American people for decades have given vast sums to charity projects throughout the world and done so much to help in the area of greater cultural understanding. It is about time that political leaders in Washington followed suit, in order to strengthen international systems which can respond to major events. If change doesn’t occur then more American soldiers will die based on policies which are not related to protecting America. Also, “a new Cold War” will emerge based on the geopolitics of nations which feel threatened by the expansion of America and NATO.

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