Endless flash points have flared around the globe throughout human history. The situation has not abated even after the peace treaties of World War I and World War II.

Currently, never-ending disputes in the Middle East, Africa and Asia could spiral out of control at any time. Once again, the United States must assume the leadership role in preventing regional conflicts from escalating.

The U.S. is the only country with the military might, resources, experience and willingness to lead. The time is right for the U.S. to rebalance its military forces toward Asia, where tensions brew in the South and East China Seas.

In the South China Sea, it is not a new problem that multiple nations claim the same previously worthless islands as their own. Each nation arms with its own nomenclature, declaration and historic documents. There has been tension but never threat of using military force until recently. The discovery of potential undersea minerals, oil and gas there has changed all that.

As the recent ASEAN summit demonstrated (attended by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton), there is no lack of confrontations, claims and counterclaims, with no forthcoming resolutions. With China eager to project its newfound sea power in Asia, it is not likely a peaceful answer can be expected soon. And, as a world leader, the U.S. cannot shirk the responsibility of ensuring calm navigation through the international sea lanes in the South China Sea.

In the East China Sea, the area of dispute, consisting of five uninhabited islets and three barren rocks, is rather limited in geographic area. Chinese named the group the Daioyu Islands or Diaoyutai, but Japan named it the Senkaku Islands. Both the Republic of China (Taiwan) and People’s Republic of China claim the disputed islands on historic grounds.

Japan annexed these islands as a consequence of a war defeating the Qing dynasty in 1895. At the end of World War II, the Allied Forces gave sovereignty rights of the Senkaku Islands to Japan. Now, Taiwan, China and Japan all claim the sovereignty right to Senkaku Islands.

Being the chief player of the Allied Forces, the U.S. must defend the decision of giving Japan the sovereignty right for the Senkaku Islands. In addition, the U.S. and Japan have a defense treaty further obligating the U.S. to come to Japan’s aid when push comes to shove. It is no question that the U.S. will honor the treaty with the Congress reaffirming the defense applies to these islands as well. Skirmish continues.

Since Japan does not recognize Taiwan as a nation, it is foolish to even get into the dispute of sovereignty right for the Daioyu Islands. The best course for Taiwan would be to negotiate favorable fishing rights in the area with Japan. The time is appropriate for Taiwan to do so, as both Japan and China are eager to find excuses to put aside the question of sovereignty for now.

What is the best solution for the problems in the East and South China Seas?

My opinion is that the United Nations should sponsor a treaty that no nation has a claim in any of these East and South China Sea islets, and that none of the contesting nations should develop their undersea resources for 50 years.

By then, the use of hydrogen (solar-powered hydrolysis) may become so cheap and abundant that no nation would risk the expenses to gain oil and gas under the disputed area.