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We have to remember that no Americans were killed in this attack, it was directed and affected South Koreans only. It is not the place of the US to make a policy decision for South Korea, it was their ship, their sailors, its up to them to make that decision, and perhaps consult our opinion and willingness to back them depending on what decision they make, then for us to support it. They are our ally and this ship sinking does affect our interests indirectly in Asia, but I believe South Korea should be granted the lead on making the decision on how to react to this.
I am totally with you on this. The US has a defense treaty with the ROK, so the U.S. is obliged to assist in ROK's defense. However, as it was an attack exclusively on ROK military assets (and not affecting the U.S. tripwire force along the DMZ), this should be completely Seoul's call and the U.S. (and other friendly states) should be prepared to back it 100%. This seems to be the way the Obama administration is playing it so far, and in this rare instance, I agree with the way it is being handled in Washington.