Obama Tells Asia: US 'Here to Stay' as Pacific Power

[Jackson]

President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that the U.S. military would expand its role in the Asia-Pacific, despite budget cuts, declaring America was "here to stay" as a Pacific power which would help shape the region's future.

White House aide Ben Rhodes said the United States was sending a signal "that we're going to continue to play the role of underpinning security in this part of the region."

Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday announced plans to have 2,500 U.S. Marines operate out of a de facto base in the northern port of Darwin by 2016.

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[Unkotare]

China might be more impressed by such declarations if obama weren't hell bent on gutting our military as they build up their navy.

 

[old navy]

This is a good gig for the Marines.

During times of a down economy, the cries of downsizing the military can be heard. One of the "obvious" branches to cut is the Marine Corps. Marine critics claim that the Army can do what the Marines do, so why do we even need a Marine Corps.

Yet when the world dials 911, the U.S. Marines are the ones that answer.