Japan is ending its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean:
The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s refueling mission in the Indian Ocean ended Friday, upon the expiration of the relevant law. The mission was in support of U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan that began in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
Instead, the Hatoyama administration has opted to increase direct aid to Afghanistan. It has pledged up to $5 billion in civilian aid over five years, a substantial contribution toward improving the welfare of the Afghan people.
Not suprising really. Although given the fact that the United States has underinvested in its fleet replenishment ships and the JMSDF ships filled a real void-it is a sign of “support fatigue” among one of the best allies of the United States. Plus-in the last couple of years or so-as the Afghans have screwed the pooch again and again, there have been real questions as to what value the mission was bringing to Japan. Especially when you consider the actions of the big bully next door in China.
Given Japan’s constitution and the current public sentiment, its hard to see how Japan will do anything non-monetary. Send ground forces to Afghanistan? Not a chance.
Send the JASDF to fly cargo missions? If memory serves they have been doing that in other theaters. JASDF aircaft could help make a difference-but there is this pesky problem of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
One of the issues the “war without end” crowd continue to ignore is the fact that the longer this goes on-the less inclined others are to help, especially without seeing a real tangible return for their own people. Welcome to yet another result of the “wrong path chosen”.
It will however, lose a bargaining chip for Japan with respect to the Security Treaty and Okinawa-unless by stopping the mission now-they think they can offer it back later. That is something I highly doubt.
William Krystol must be so proud.