Even as he and other members of the war party in Washington are whipping up a confrontation against Russia over Ukraine, Secretary of State Tony Blinken announced that he will be traveling to Southeast Asia this week to “bolster economic and security cooperation” and “forge a united front against China in the Indo-Pacific,” Reuters reported. Blinken will arrive in Jakarta, Indonesia on Dec. 13, and will also visit Malaysia and Thailand on his first Southeast Asia trip since President Joe Biden took office in January.
The State Department announced, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Jakarta Dec.13-14, where he will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and other senior officials to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership and the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” (https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-indonesia-relationship/)
The State Department’s Daniel Kritenbrink told reporters that Blinken will focus on strengthening regional security infrastructure in the face of China’s “bullying” and discussing the president’s vision for an Indo-Pacific economic framework.
