U.S. to Assist in Malacca Straits

From the Jakarta Post:

The United States on Monday pledged to help combat the threat of piracy and terrorism in the Straits of Malacca, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Details of the cooperation will be planned after Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore sign a pact in April outlining standard operating procedures for maritime security, said Adm. William Fallon, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, which includesU.S. forces in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.

No details have been released, or appear to even have been finalized, but I'm doubtful of a sustained U.S. Navy presence in the straits. What will probably result is a set of standard operating procedures and a few exercises to test interoperability, but little more.

Hat tip: EagleSpeak.