“As every Mafia don knows, even the slightest loss of control might lead to unraveling of the system of domination as others are encouraged to follow a similar path. Amid all the alleged threats to the world’s reigning superpower, one rival is quietly, forcefully emerging: China. And the U.S. is closely scrutinizing China’s intentions. On August 13, a Pentagon study expressed concern that China is expanding its military forces in ways that ‘could deny the ability of American warships to operate in international waters off the coast,’ Thom Shanker reports in The New York Times. Washington is alarmed that ‘China’s lack of openness about the growth, capabilities and intentions of its military injects instability to a vital region of the globe.’ The U.S., on the other hand, is quite open about its intention to operate freely throughout the ‘vital region of the globe’ surrounding China (as elsewhere).” (09/02/10)