One can be jailed for spitting on the street, chewing gum, or failing to flush a public toilet. It is inconceivable that Singapore's security services cannot stop this illegal and dangerous trade. Yet it is also difficult for the US to take too strong a stance. Singapore permits US warships to dock and refuel there, allows a small permanent US military logistics presence to remain in its county, and permits US combat aircraft to fly through. But Singapore faces no security threat from Iran and the US does.
Patient diplomacy is the way to address such differences among friends and allies.
However, in the case related to Singapore, as described above, the entire regional security balance was not altered by the transaction. In the other cases involving allies, such as Great Britain, Israel, Italy and France, the balance of power in the Pacific could be altered by the systematic transfer of key technologies or weapon systems, with potential harm to US, and Japanese, security. Strengthening ties There are a number of ways that Japan and the US can strengthen their cooperation for the future. Advancing Toward a Mature Partnership, such as making US defense technology available to Japan, more robust joint military exercises, and true partnership in intelligence sharing. Japan is now considering steps that would tighten its national security laws, establishing real penalties for revealing classified information or spying for another power.