President Obama boosts U.S. military presence in Australia with 2,500 U.S. marines

U.S. to Expand Military in Australia Over China Risk

By Caren Bohan and James Grubel
Reuters

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA– President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday unveiled plans to deepen the U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific, with 2,500 U.S. marines operating out of a de facto base in northern Australia.

China, already worried the United States is caging it in, immediately questioned whether strengthening military alliances would help the region when economic woes put a premium on cooperation.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/16/us-usa-australia-idUSTRE7AF0F220111116