Equally, Beijing is keen to remind Tokyo that this problem will not go away and that it will continue to press its claim to sovereignty and is willing to take disproportionate risks to pressure Japan into at last acknowledging there is a dispute.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"Although Iran seeks to show that it is able and willing to take to drastic means to respond to foreign pressure, it is unlikely that it has the ability to close Hormuz, " said risk consultancy IHS Global Insight in a report Tuesday.

WSJ: Oil Market's Iran Fears Might Be Overdone

This new coalition does run the risk of appearing too aggressive when it comes to trying to pressure fellow Democrats to embrace their policy goals, but it is a risk organizers are willing to take.

CNN: Preston on Politics: Democrats target Democrats