Fox Fallon, one to watch on China

Fallon is the new head of Pacific Command. Despite all the war-posturing and tough talk on China coming out of that command, he's calling for more mil-mil cooperation with China.

Here's a snippet from a recent WP article:

"Do we have to have conflict because of the rise of China? I don't believe so," said Adm. William J. Fallon, who heads the Hawaii-based Pacific Command from an office with a sweeping view of Pearl Harbor and the vast ocean beyond.

"As they grow, there's going to be an inevitable push as they take advantage of their economic ability to improve their military capabilities," he said of the Chinese. "We ought to recognize that as a reality. This is not a zero-sum game.

"I do not buy the program," he said, referring to the presumption that conflict cannot be avoided. "I just don't buy it."

Fallon said he had received a clear mandate in this regard from Washington, despite widely noticed remarks in June from Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld questioning China's motives in modernizing its military forces. In addition, Fallon said in an interview, this approach means China's cultivation of stronger diplomatic and military ties with other Asian nations does not have to compete with U.S. changes in the Pacific.

"A rising China that is actively engaged in helping the countries of the region maintain security and stability can be a very good thing," he explained.

Fallon is a bright guy and a bright star. One can only wish him well. While you might expect him to tout the highly anti-China line coming out of too much of the Navy, he's done the right thing by thinking of how best he can make his mark in the region during his time. War over Taiwan is unlikely, so if he's going to get credit for anything, it might as well be for improving relations between the U.S. and Chinese militaries. Lotsa Combatant Commanders go all "SysAdmin-y" (meaning they focus more on administering to the regional system of security than posturing for war) when they reach that post. Why? It's just the natural inclination when you sit in the top spot and say to yourself: What can I do to make this region better than I found it?

Full story at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091601983.html.

Thanks to Manuel Sandoval for reminding me that I need to get a paper subscription to the WP.