NAVAL INTEREST:

 THE TIGER IS FOLLOWING THE DRAGON INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.

Four Indian Warships Have Entered The Mediterranean Sea And Are Presently Visiting Israel.  

Four Indian Warships are now moored in Haifa, Northern Israel. The INS MUMBAI, TRISHUG, GOMTI, and ADITYA led by Rear Admiral A R Karue are presently visiting Israel as part of a Mediterranean good will tour. This news comes as reports are reaching us that the Chinese warships that entered the Mediterranean may presently be in the Black Sea ( possible update later today). This will be a four day visit in Israel, which has had diplomatic relations with India for twenty years. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen service to service ties between the two Navies and to pay respects to the memories of Indian soldiers who fought, died and were buried in Haifa after they helped allied forces liberate the city from the Nazi aligned forces in WW II. The municipality of Haifa recently decided to incorporate the valiant efforts of the Indians into their local school curricula as part of their history texts.

SOURCES: AAIS Corespondents, and Times of India

OPINION: We make no bones about it we are Tiger fans, both LSU football and the Indian Navy. The dragon is behaving like a thug state in the China Sea, while projecting power around the globe. We have already published footage of Chinese PLAN ships killing unarmed Vietnamese sailors while trying to take what is clearly Vietnamese territory. The Chinese have of late perverted another concept near and dear to those of us here. In response to real naval response to their bullying, defended against by Japan, India, and now the Philippines China has begun to pervert the Coast Guard functions. Many nations make clear distinctions between their naval forces and Coast Guard forces with Coast Guard forces clearly being linked with law enforcement duties within their established and recognized national waters. Coast Guard forces have long been associated with administrative control of established territory and disassociated with aggressive conquest. China is fielding more and better armed "Ocean Surveillance Service" ships and more armed "Fisheries Enforcement Service" ships while talking about arming their fishermen. Clearly they are perverting the concept of Coast Guard forces to improve their chances of making the "effective administration argument" for more territory if the situation is forced to a bargaining table.

 The PLAN  ("The Dragon") is an instrument of blunt force for a thug state. The INS ("The Tiger") is a moral force upon the seas.   India is a real democracy and a peaceful people ascending to a position of power while sharing a border with a thug state that is also an economic rival. We make no bones about it, we would like to see U.S. investment leave China for India where it would be safer and working for a democracy with a sense of ethics and morality.  We would like to see closer ties between the U.S. Navy and the INS but not as some sort of "Big Brother".  Indeed we could do worse than following the INS lead in the Indian Ocean in many instances, and agreeing to disagree in others.  India is most effective in the region with a reputation for independence.

  As a democracy, free market, and moral people even when we disagree, their positions are not aimed at causing instability or expanding territory.   We look to the rise of the INS and Japan's MSDF as the true counter weight to the aggression of the Chinese Navy. The situation is delicate, our own Pacific Fleet should be a quiet back up to the efforts of Japan and India to bring the voice of reason to the position of dominance in the ocean policies of the region. The Dragon is big on "Face", They would rather threaten Honolulu with nuclear annihilation than appear to be "caving in" to U.S. demands. By contrast, if their efforts at bullying their way into territorial acquisition fail going to the bargaining table with other regional powers can be sold to the populace as simply a reasonable and diplomatic thing to do. The Dragon can point to such an outcome as "proof" of its peaceful intent, adherence to international law, and status as a law abiding member of the international community.That of course is a "crock", but its better than having to send the PLAN to the bottom of the sea which if they continue to miscalculate could happen, but not without terrible costs to all parties. So far India, Japan, and the Philippines have played the game the Dragon has imposed well. We need to stay well in the background simply making it clear that in a shoot out we will come to the aid of our two longtime allies. The Tiger is the non aligned wild card, but a wild card of moral caliber and considerable naval throw weight. The Dragon is going to have to be very careful with the Tiger on its tail. Lets hope the Tiger is as wise as it has appeared to be of late.