AND IN THE REAL WORLD – AT 10:43 A.M. ET:  Let us not forget, as we focus on the tax-reform bill, that we are facing major national-security challenges.  Some of our allies are preparing, as we are, to meet those challenges, and to confront rogue nations like North Korea, and mighty nations like China.  From The Wall Street Journal: 

ISHIGAKI, Japan—Japan’s military is laying the groundwork for batteries of antiship and antiaircraft missiles in a quiet, sugar-cane-filled valley here, as it girds to confront what Tokyo views as its greatest long-term threat: China.

Ishigaki is one of a string of subtropical islands in the far southwest of the Japanese archipelago—the closest is about 200 miles from China’s coast—that defense officials are fortifying with troop garrisons, new weapons and a radar installation.

As China becomes more powerful and assertive and North Korea builds up its nuclear arsenal, Japan is rethinking its approach to defense and moving away from the policies of strict pacifism it has followed since its defeat in World War II.

On Friday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet is set to approve an increase of around 2.5% in annual military spending, including funds for the new bases on the southern islands, as well as the country’s first cruise missiles and a new ballistic-missile defense shield.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the cruise missiles are intended to protect the islands from invasion.

Defense budgets have been growing since 2013, with Japan, one of the U.S.’s most important allies, buying advanced fighter jets, boosting surveillance capabilities and training a new amphibious troop unit.

The country still spends around half of that spent by China and one-third of the U.S. on defense relative to the size of each country’s economy. But, with the support—and prodding—of Washington, it is building one of the world’s most capable armed forces.

COMMENT:  After World War II, it was understandable that Japan wanted nothing more to do with things military.  The war left the country largely destroyed. 

But it's a new era, and Japan is taking its rightful place in the defense of the free nations.  North Korea has actually fired missiles over Japan.  Japan has taken note, and taken action.  A serious confrontation with North Korea may be in the offing.  We have a strong ally with us.

December 20, 2017