   Growing Russia, China and US, EU3 split
  As the growing rift between China and Russia on one hand, and the US, Israel and the EU grows on the other over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, what do you think are possible developments? What do you think is the most likely development, and possible implications for the impending threat of war?EDIT: In another development Tony Blair sacked British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who is against military intervention in Iran. His replacement, a lesser known Mrs Beckett was previously a secretary for food or something who advocated the Iraq war. I find it strange enough for someone like Jack Straw who beared the brunt of the faulty Iraqi intelligence to be against another military operation trying to be justified.   
Quote:Original post by GenjixAs the growing rift between China and Russia on one hand, and the US, Israel and the EU grows on the other over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, what do you think are possible developments? What do you think is the most likely development, and possible implications for the impending threat of war?Frankly, if Bush was leaving office this year then I would breathe a sigh of relief. But since he has two more years, I find another Cold War on the horizon and a more sophisticated version of proxy wars in the Middle East and SE Asia.Quote:Original post by GenjixI find it strange enough for someone like Jack Straw who beared the brunt of the faulty Iraqi intelligence to be against another military operation trying to be justified.I find it strange that you'd question a politician that has learned his lesson.   ;Quote:Original post by GenjixAs the growing rift between China and Russia on one hand, and the US, Israel and the EU grows on the other over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, what do you think are possible developments?WWIII.   ;  Maybe Jack Straws position at the International table is compromised given the circumstances of the Iraq war and a fresh face and new approach is in the best intrests of the UK government.   ;Quote:Original post by Alpha_ProgDesQuote:Original post by GenjixI find it strange enough for someone like Jack Straw who beared the brunt of the faulty Iraqi intelligence to be against another military operation trying to be justified.I find it strange that you'd question a politician that has learned his lesson.I am more concerned of the motives of taking someone who was primarily concerned with unilateral diplomacy in this situation out of the equation. Be an interesting development to see how Mrs Beckett aligns herself with regards to either the US or the EU.   ;Quote:Original post by GenjixAs the growing rift between China and Russia on one hand, and the US, Israel and the EU grows on the other over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, what do you think are possible developments? What do you think is the most likely development, and possible implications for the impending threat of war?I don't think it makes much difference. Russia doesn't care too much (in case of war they'll dance kazachok all the way from the oil bourse to the bank) and between their dependence on energy imports and export based growth China has little influence to exert.   ;Quote:Original post by RaQuote:Original post by GenjixAs the growing rift between China and Russia on one hand, and the US, Israel and the EU grows on the other over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, what do you think are possible developments?WWIII.What a timely remark:  Bush calls terror fight WWIIIQuote: US President George W. Bush has said the September 11 revolt of passengers against their hijackers on board Flight 93 had struck the first blow of "World War III".In an interview with the financial news network CNBC, Mr Bush said he had yet to see the recently released film of the uprising, a dramatic portrayal of events on the United Airlines plane before it crashed in a Pennsylvania field.But he said he agreed with the description of David Beamer, whose son Todd died in the crash, who in a Wall Street Journal commentary last month called it "our first successful counter-attack in our homeland in this new global war, World War III".Mr Bush said: "I believe that. I believe that it was the first counter-attack to World War III."It was, it was unbelievably heroic of those folks on the airplane to recognize the danger and save lives," he said. ...Of course, Bush didn't say that if the system had done it's job right, Flight 93 would never have left the airport. What You Won't See in Flight 93, the Film:Quote:...So in those terrifying minutes before the first hit, two brave women on the phone inside Flight 11 were calmly telling American Airlines ground officials exactly what was happening.The airline’s reaction: Nothing. It did absolutely nothing.The managers could have picked up a phone and told all their pilots what was going on. Indeed they co told all pilots in the air what was happening. They could have called officials in New York. There is a real likelihood people at least could have evacuated the second tower.If someone on the ground had acted, Flight 93, sitting on the Newark airport tarmac, might well have avoided the hijack.Flight 93 took off at 8:42 that morning, a few minutes before the Flight 11 struck the WTC. It was not hijacked until 9:28. It is simple fact that the FAA, American Airlines and the military knew about the 911 hijacking before Flight 93 took off. Before its cockpit was seized two planes had hit the World Trade Center....Back on topic, Cheney went after Russia earlier this week, US warns Russia on democracy, and Bush backed him up, White House backs Cheney on Russia. This doesn't bode well given the sabre rattling over Iran's uranium refinement program, War clouds. That op-ed argues that Russia is playing the situation with an eye towards keeping oil prices high and ensnaring the US in another war that would overstretch her military and badly damage her waning global influence. This analysis, Cheney, the Neocons and China, posits that the true aim of the US in the middle east is to encircle China in a sphere of containment, with a throttle on the oil that China needs to continue economic growth. This analysis, The Bush Administration's Final Surprise?, suggests that the failures of Bush's middle east policies may drive Russia or China to base nuclear missles in Iran to prevent the US from controlling it's oil (China) or to thwart the US from continued fighting in it's backyard (Russia). Interesting times...;  This conflict is the largest threat the world has seen since '61 and the Bay of Pigs.  While NKorea has been under the radar as of late do not mistake that for compliance.  On one side we have Russia, Iran, China, India, Egypt, North Korea.  On the other we have America, England, Israel, Australia.  Everyone else rides the fence of supposed neutrality.At this point I'd argue that the only thing that is keeping this issue on the terms of politics instead of military action is money.  China has a major investment in the US and until China gives the go ahead the countries behind them will twiddle their thumbs.  We continue to give the world reasons to show it's displeasure.  At a time when China/Taiwan relations are at an alltime strenous level, America is stepping up it's ties with Taiwan launching joint satelite ventures and increasing it's support.  We're stuck between a rock and hardplace Iran/Russia on their nuclear agreement. Iran has spent billions of dollars by contracting Russia out to build these technologies for them and before we even know Iran's intent we're telling them they must stop.  I don't claim to know Iran's intent, but until they enrich uranium to the point that it's no longer commercially viable I think we're jumping the gun.Quitely North Korea and China have been building their military to the point of extremely dangerous levels.  It used to be that China was something of a joke, they had their million man army but only enough guns to equip a fith of it.  Today through Clinton politics they have armed themselves with wartime technology that rivals our own.The catalyst in this entire thing is Taiwan.  I honestly believe that China will continue to remain indifferent towards the US until they decide to invade Taiwan and then we'll have to act.  For 50 years America has had a pact and promise to defend this small territory that China still claims as their own.  Just as WW2 was sparked by Germany and Poland, WW3 will come down to this.   ;Quote:Original post by senelebeIt used to be that China was something of a joke, they had their million man army but only enough guns to equip a fith of it.  Today through Clinton politics they have armed themselves with wartime technology that rivals our own.I'm interested to know what during Clinton's era allowed or made this great armament of China.Quote:The catalyst in this entire thing is Taiwan.  I honestly believe that China will continue to remain indifferent towards the US until they decide to invade Taiwan and then we'll have to act.  For 50 years America has had a pact and promise to defend this small territory that China still claims as their own.  Just as WW2 was sparked by Germany and Poland, WW3 will come down to this.It's a flip between Taiwan and Iran at this point. If it starts with Iran, the US maybe fighting an enemy one after another. ;Quote:Original post by Alpha_ProgDesI'm interested to know what during Clinton's era allowed or made this great armament of China.Google is your friend.  We both know any link I provide will be decimated in seconds by pro-left propaganda.  I'm a little tired of fighting for the right considering my views on the Republican party today.  I have less faith in Bush then I did in Clinton(which was little) but I think it's pretty transparent if you're using rationality instead of agendas that the Clinton administration provided China with nuclear capibility, stealth technology, satelite technology.  Russia has provided chemical/biological warfare to China.Quote:It's a flip between Taiwan and Iran at this point. If it starts with Iran, the US maybe fighting an enemy one after another.The only problem is that much like Iraq, Iran poses no major threat to the US.  Even if they do develop nuclear weapons the absolute worse case scenerio is that they in turn pass them to terrorist. Even given the instability of Khamenei I find that to be highly unlikely.  I agree with everyone else that they should not have nuclear capability in the military sense, but I also realize that Iran is nothing more than a front to hide what's really going on.  China has been creating a coalition for a decade now that they hide under nuclear proliferation.  Personally I think it's a militaristic front to take on the west.  China is the sleeping giant, and the only real threat in terms of military action against America today.  Do not take them lightly.  The next great war doesn't hinge on Iran, it hinges on China. 