Ashton Carter actually said...

I'm concerned about the picture it paints in the world when we do this to ourselves, to our friends and also our potential foes.

China must not pursue militarization in the South China Sea. Specific actions will have specific consequences.

we stand alert with our missile defense forces, with our allies, the Japanese and the South Koreans

America needs to lead. I'm happy to have us lead. We have, by far and away, more capability than anybody else.