Tensions Escalate

In what seems to be a pithy tit for tat game where the only end could lead to serious implications for both countries. Tensions escalate as China used a high powered military grade laser to target American aircraft flying over the African nation of Djibouti. As American Grit learned this week, this action is becoming more and more commonplace as China seeks to expand it's role on the world stage.Despite the help that Beijing seemed to be in keeping North Korea in check (we'll see if that actually plays out), Chinese forces have been less than friendly as of recently. In 2014 a Chinese fighter did a barrel roll over a U.S. Navy aircraft and more recently, these laser "attacks". How long will the aggression go unchecked?As the Soviet Union's biggest proxy during the Cold War, the United States has always had an uneasy relationship with the nation of a little under 1.4 billion people. From the interference in the Korean War to the building of fortified islands in the disputed South China Sea, China has always tiptoed along a very dangerous line and this latest incident while new, is not very surprising given the current tensions between the two countries.

As the tensions escalate due to what some are perceiving as a trade war between the two powers, this action is nothing short of reckless. Beijing refused to comment on the action, which, to be fair if you were caught shooting at another nations aircraft with high powered lasers, would you admit it on the world court? Doubtful, but the proof is in the pudding as China has continually shown a blatant disregard for international law and common courtesy.

Hopefully, just like with North Korea, the cooler of heads will prevail and these incidents will stop. Given the history of reckless aggressive behavior by China, we doubt that will happen.