UPI is reporting that Malaysia is denying the US the ability to help patrol the Straits of Malacca, one of the most congested, active, narrow, and vulnerable shipping lanes in the world. The world has a few of these choke points: the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, Cape Hope, Cape Horn, the Straits, Gilbraltar, among others. Even one successful attack will slow shipping, increase insurance rates, and cause untold damage to a world economy, increasingly dependent on shipping raw materials. The Straits provide plenty of hiding places and are located what might be a population sympathetic to terrorists. That Malaysia is choosing pride over effectiveness is disappointing and dangerous.

It's worth noting, however, that they really have no right to deny us the ability to operating in international shipping lanes. Only the ability to deny us the use of their ports and cooperation.