Commentary America’s credibility lies in tatters following the defeat in Afghanistan. The Pentagon must surge forces to the seas off Southeast Asia and East Asia in cooperation with allied nations to send the message to China that the United States is down but not out. Afghanistan exposed America’s weakness, commentators in China’s media say. The Chinese Communist Party propaganda outlet The Global Times warned Taiwan that the U.S. surrender in Afghanistan showed that Americans would not stand with the island. Time is crucial. This is especially necessary in light of China’s new law that demands foreign vessels in the South China Sea report their position to Chinese authorities because Beijing considers the sea to be its “territorial waters.” Thankfully, Australia is standing up to Beijing by sending warships to the South China Sea to guarantee freedom of navigation. One way to send a message to Beijing is to send the …