Last week, President Barack Obama was in Asia to declare a cold war with China. Hopefully the U.S.-China cold war won't be like the one fought with the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear annihilation and cost trillions of dollars over 60 years.

The crux of the conflict is China's attempt to assert its sovereignty over the South China Sea, a resource-rich conduit for roughly $5 trillion in annual global trade, of which $1.2 trillion is American, which U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared last year a matter of "national interest."

Beijing's assertive behavior in the South China Sea precipitated calls from Asian allies for the U.S. to deepen its involvement to be a strong counterweight. Those calls led to the formulation of Obama's new Asia strategy, which administration officials admit changes America's "military posture toward China" into something like the former East-West cold war. The first shots of the new war were heard last week.

President Obama, while traveling in Asia, fired the first rounds of the cold war when he declared the U.S. is a "Pacific nation," and we intend to play "a larger and long-term role in shaping this region and its future."

"I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia Pacific a top priority," Obama said. The region "is absolutely vital not only for our economy but also for our national security," and then the President and his representatives unveiled an avalanche of cold war-like initiatives intended to counter China's influence.

The U.S. will increase its military presence in Asia. Obama announced an agreement to permanently station 2,500 Marines in Australia, and to increase combat aircraft such as B-52 bombers and aircraft carriers traveling to Australia. This compliments 28,000 troops already stationed in South Korea, and 50,000 in Japan.

On the economic front, Obama announced an Asia Pacific free trade deal, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, that excludes Beijing. He also used the trip as an opportunity to admonish the Chinese to "play by the rules" and repeatedly criticized Beijing for undervaluing their currency, which makes American goods more expensive.

On the diplomatic front, Obama attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bali, Indonesia - the first time an American president has attended the annual event. Obama wants the EAS to serve as a decision-making body for policy in the region.

Russia will deploy new missiles aimed at U.S. missile defense sites in Europe if Washington goes ahead with the planned shield despite Russia's concerns, President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday.

Russia will station missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region and other areas if Russia and NATO fail to reach a deal on the U.S.-led missile defense plans, he said in a tough statement that seemed to be aimed at rallying domestic support.

Russia considers the plans for missile shields in Europe, including in Romania and Poland, to be a threat to its nuclear forces, but the Obama administration insists they are meant to fend off a potential threat from Iran.

Medvedev also warned that Moscow may opt out of the New START arms control deal with the United States and halt other arms control talks if the U.S. proceeds. The Americans had hoped that the treaty would stimulate progress further ambitious arms control efforts, but such talks have stalled over tension on the missile plans.

"The United States and its NATO partners as of now aren't going to take our concerns about the European missile defense into account," a stern Medvedev said, adding that if the alliance continues to "stonewall" Russia it will take retaliatory action.

Medvedev warned that Russia will deploy short-range Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, a Baltic Sea exclave bordering Poland, and place weapons in other areas in Russia's west and south to target U.S. missile defense sites.

Medvedev added that prospective Russian strategic nuclear missiles will be fitted with systems that would allow them to penetrate prospective missile defenses.
 

In what may be a 'first' in Britain, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will share worship with leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities at a mosque.

On Friday 25 November the Rt Rev David Arnott and Rabbi David Rose of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation will join Muslims at Annandale Mosque in Scotland's capital for prayers.

The occasion is part of a unique three-day programme in Edinburgh of talks between the three main Abrahamic traditions. Mr Arnott commented: "Interfaith dialogue is about showing respect for the traditions of each other's faith. There is no better way to do that than by sharing openly in worship together."

He continued: "This is how we say to the community where we all live this is how we should live together, with respect and understanding of what is important to each other."

From Friday to Sunday representatives from the three traditions will stand alongside each other during each of the different faith services.

Rabbi David Rose, who is also co-convener of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, said: "The mutual respect we show to each other in visiting other faiths' places of worship is a clear signal that the various faiths in our city is committed to living together in harmony and together contributing to the wellbeing of the city."

Bashir Malik, a mosque representative, said: "The Jewish and Christian faiths are deeply connected with Islam with all three being a continuation of the Abrahamic faith." He added: "We must show respect for each other from the core of our hearts, and these visits of each other's place of worship is the best way to express our respect and commitment to contributing to achieving peace and harmony within our communities."