U.S. Sends a Message in East Asia

Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto and U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on Aug. 5 discussed the potential for U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk patrols over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, according to Japanese media. The Global Hawk is a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Tensions between China and Japan have risen in recent months due to discussions in Tokyo about nationalizing the Senkakus (Japan governs the islands, but four are currently privately owned and "leased" to the government) and Chinese deployment of fisheries patrol vessels to the area. The news of the Global Hawk patrols may reflect U.S. messaging to China about the strength of the U.S.-Japan defense relationship, as well as to the rest of Asia that Washington is committed to balancing Chinese assertiveness.