LOS ANGELES -- Nations tend to act like alcoholics when it comes to military arms: The more, the merrier. What's more, they do not generally tend to adopt a healthier lifestyle and drink less as they become wealthier. Instead, they just consume a better quality of booze.
Nothing better illustrates the iron law of arms alcoholism than the current defense buildup in China. In recent years Beijing's defense spending has been increasing at double-digit rates, which is a bit higher than its impressive national economic growth.
For alarmists in Washington, China's actions speak louder than any reassuring official words, such as Beijing's standard line that China is engaged in nothing but a "peaceful rise." But sometimes chilling words can speak at least as forcefully as actions.