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“Now China is big on the scene, and right next door, and the otherAsian countries are able to export lots of goods to China. “most importantly, they speak the languages of the countrieswith which they engage. That’s really important.The Chinese government is using what we call “checkbookdiplomacy.” What do you need? What can we do to help you?Particularly with the small and poorly governed or dysfunctionalstates in the world, of which there are many.There is also a worldwide competition between Taiwan andthe PRC for recognition in the U.N. and other places, and bothtry to buy votes. They’ll pay whatever it takes to gain and keeprecognition from these countries. It’s like a game but not helpfulto good governance.The big picture though, is that all of the [larger] countrieson the Asian periphery are enjoying an economic boomtoday. The reason is because they’re selling raw materials andfinished goods into the Chinese domestic market. Exportsinto China are growing by leaps and bounds. The situationis reversed with us, as the Chinese are selling vast quantitiesof goods to us—hence the continuing trade imbalance.Of course, these low-priced goods continue to benefit theAmerican consumer.One of the messages that I get when I visit leadership inAsian countries is recognition of the importance of the U.S.military presence and engagement in this region for the last 50-plus years, which has enabled stability and security to be maintained.And this stability is responsible for the huge economicimprovement in the region—in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan,Singapore, Thailand and most other places. Now China is bigon the scene, and right next door, and the other Asian countriesare able to export lots of goods to China. So the Asians want itboth ways. They like the U.S. security. On the other hand, theyare loving the economic benefits of a “rising” China.It’s a complex world in which we live and fascinating to be inmy position today. I’m blessed with an understanding (and veryengaged herself in these countries) wife and a hard-working staffof many hundreds of superb military men and women in uniformand civilian counterparts. You would be pleased to see thesegreat Americans in service to our country, every day!View from the Bottom of the WorldDuring an official trip to Antarctica in January, Adm. Fallonfound he had a special treat in store. Here, he relates that story.U.S. military supports the National ScienceFoundation, which conducts research there yearround.Every summer, we do the resupply mission for“Thethe scientists, engineers and researchers who are down there.This year we put together a joint military task force to providethe resupply. We sent a couple of ships, and operated an aircraftshuttle through the summer resupply window, which only lastsabout three months. The shuttle transports people in and takesothers out and provides new supplies and fuel.“We have a station at a place called McMurdo; it’s on theperiphery of Antarctica, south of New Zealand, about six hoursby air from a base in Christ Church, New Zealand. On the continentitself, there are a number of supply bases, with the mainresupply base at McMurdo, and also the South Pole Station,which is run by the U.S.“To get to the South Pole, which I visited, requires a flight bya ski plane. We took off on a ski-equipped C130, flew three-andone-halfhours to the South Pole, which sits on a broad plateau,with white in every direction. Quite an experience, and probablya once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”Nicknamed “Fox” for his flight call sign, Fallon grew up in New Jerseyand saw his first combat in Vietnam after graduating from Villanova.48 Villanova Magazine