The US has announced that it is shifting the bulk of its naval forces to the Pacific area. Currently, the US fleet is split 50-50 between the Atlantic and the Pacific; Defense Secretary Panetta announced the by 2020 the split will be 60-40. Needless to say, the Chinese are not pleased with the shift, but the growth of the Chinese military made such a response almost inevitable. Thus are most escalation cycles born.
Former Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, has been given a life sentence for crimes committed curing his tenure. The sentence has displeased both his opponents and his supporters, leading to protests in Egypt. No sentence would have pleased everyone–we will have to wait and see how deep the protests go. Needless to say, the sentence will complicate the upcoming election.
Professor Walt has written another interesting essay, trying to answer the question for Americans: “Why do they hate us?” I don’t think the question is a fair or true one, but Professor Walt raises an interesting perspective, one most would not expect from one of the world’s premier realists.
World Politics News 
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