U.S., Australia, and China

The New York Times is running an article entitled, "U.S. Expands Military Ties to Australia, Irritating China." The article begins, "President Obama announced Wednesday that the United States planned to deploy 2,500 Marines in Australia to shore up alliances in Asia, but the move prompted a sharp response from Beijing, which accused Mr. Obama of escalating military tensions in the region."

Questions

1. What is the difference between a country's ally and a person's friend? Should countries treat one another in the same way that people should treat their friends? Why or why not? (Give specific examples as to how friends and allies are similar and specific examples as to how they are different.)

2. What three questions would you ask in order to better understand the relationship between China and the United States as it relates to the Pacific Rim? Why do you think that these questions would improve your understanding of the relationship?

3. Do you think that the United States of America should try and develop relationships with Pacific nations with which China may not be pleased? Why or why not? Should the self interests of China matter to the United States? Why or why not?

4. What benefits might come to the United States as a result of having soldiers stationed overseas? What disadvantages might come to the United States as a result of having soldiers stationed overseas? If you had to develop one rule for deciding whether or not the U.S. should station soldiers in specific places what would the rule be? Why?