Airstrip One

A Region fraught with peril

East Asia and South Asia remain the potential regions for conflict with Kashmir, Taiwan and Korea providing major flashpoints for future conventional wars. The most quiescent at the moment is Taiwan although the Pentagon has warned that China remains geared up for an invasion.

The 'special relationship' foundered east of Suez after Harold Wilson wisely avoided any entanglements in Vietnam. There has been little or no reason to coordinate US and UK military actions in Asia since the 60s apart from Afghanistan and currently, Nepal.

However, the potential for conflict remains high and there is always a possibility that close allies of the US like ourselves may be called upon to provide international and military support if war were to flare up in the Straits of Taiwan or on the Korean peninsula.

Would Blair refuse any US request?