An interesting section from the Washington Post‘s write-up on the dispatch of the USS George Washington to South Korea.

In sending in the Navy, Obama is taking a page from the playbook of his predecessor, George W. Bush, who sought to persuade China to partner with the United States to address North Korea’s nuclear program, missile tests and attacks on South Korean targets.

Only when Bush threatened military action against North Korea in a conversation with then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin in February 2003 did China begin to work with the United States to pressure the North Koreans, Bush wrote in his newly released memoir, “Decision Points.” His experience comports with that of officials during the Clinton administration.

Meanwhile, China is apparently less-than-willing to pressure its ally to stop its acts of aggression. And why should Beijing act? The United States, in particular the Obama Administration, arguably needs China more than China needs the United States right now. And China isn’t thrilled about the prospect of a regional Communist ally falling.