Take a look at this
This post over at ThinkProgress postulates that the Russians are playing both sides in the Iran situation, selling the Iranians air defense missiles while at the same time launching Israel's Iran spy satellite. The theory is that a regional war in the middle east benefits the Russians by both depleting US forces and abilities, and also forcing the price of oil through the roof.
I've been talking about the Russians and Chinese using Iran for awhile, but helping the Israelis is a new wrinkle. I'm not sure they are actually trying to foment a war, they can accomplish their goals by simply creating tension.
If you can separate yourself from the evil of it, it's really quite a brilliant strategy. The Russians win almost every way.
Oh, and this is the problem with having a simpleton as president. He made the decision to go into Iraq from his gut, at least that's what he tells us, and now we're stuck, overextended, and exposed.
I've been talking about the Russians and Chinese using Iran for awhile, but helping the Israelis is a new wrinkle. I'm not sure they are actually trying to foment a war, they can accomplish their goals by simply creating tension.
If you can separate yourself from the evil of it, it's really quite a brilliant strategy. The Russians win almost every way.
Oh, and this is the problem with having a simpleton as president. He made the decision to go into Iraq from his gut, at least that's what he tells us, and now we're stuck, overextended, and exposed.
posted by mikevotes at
5:34 PM
4 Comments:
The Russians and Chinese are making out like bandits in all of this.
By
Handsome B. Wonderful, at 7:43 PM
That's the whole point of this blog.
In this critical period in our nation's history, with China ascending to top power status, we need the smartest, shrewdest leadership in our history.
There's no room for errors, and that's what we've got.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 8:43 PM
The big winner of 9/11 was China, which got a free pass on human rights in perpetuity and made strategic mineral deals around the world while we focused on... Iraq.
Worse still, a whole lot of nations now believe China would be as acceptable a global hegemon as the U.S. And that is simply horrifying.
As for Putin he got a free pass on authoritarianism/human rights, as well as superhigh oil prices that allowed him to kill Russian democracy.
As you say, Mike, China and Russia will unravel any American moves that seek to harm their strategic oil and weapons partner.
Worst of all $300+ billion of U.S. Treasuries is in Chinese hands now, leaving us even more powerless than we already were when George W. Bush payed them to get remnants of our spy plane back. And we were pretty powerless at that point.
Within 25 years, I expect Taiwan to be a HK-like Chinese possession and Nepal a Chinese protectorate. And the Japanese should be very, very scared.
By
JUSIPER, at 11:11 PM
First, I remember the spy plane incident. Prior to that, I had judged Bush as a more or less neutral figure. That was the first hint of incompetence that really caught my eye.
To the bigger issue, we have actually driven countries that were former neutrals to China to seek protection very similarly to the way the eastern bloc and near eastern bloc countries came to the US looking for help.
I often wonder if the Russian intelligence and planning apparatus views the fall of the Soviets as the end of the cold war or just a battle lost.
And, I'm not sure on Taiwan. I wonder how China exerts that control without force, or at least a show of force. As they grow stronger, they certainly aren't going to give it up. I think a negotiated Hong Kong solution might be the best available.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 6:35 AM
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