Lone Superpower?

[Griff]

Interesting piece from Ray McGovern. It seems GW is a uniter not a divider. China and Russia together... nice job Georgie.

[busterb]

"Yep" Saw a news? clip where he said buy made in USA, BUT where in hell would you find something made here? Maybe Mexico?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Can't help but wonder if China and Russia are as worried about the middle east and Pakistan/India as the are of the US?

[Griff]

Are they more or less worried now that we've really got the instability ball rolling?

[iamthewalrus109]

In reading the piece by Ray McGovern, I became aware of some glaring ommissions, and some bold assumptions. Currently, this suppossed Sino-Russian aliance has only a cursorary legtimacy. It's all about trade for China, and for Russia, it's about security and building an economy. I think the warming of these two semi-superpowers is in the interest of more mundane attitudes than brought up in the McGovern piece.
China and Russia need the US still. US food production as well as it's consumer market is far too valuble for these powers to ever concieve of systematic tensions against this country at the current time. Our venture in Iraq, although decried by both parties, is not enough to warrant a full-fledged alliance. In essence the lack of security council approval in all true circles of world power and dimplomacy means very little to the heavy hitters, it's simply political capital to use in future negotionations. Are these two a bit frightened of the possiblities, I doubt it. Where I somewhat agree with McGovern is on the leverage part. Iraq is a chance for these countries to take a lead on just about everything while the US flounders in the sands of Mesopotamia. China can increase it's infrastructure and Russia can supply the burgeoning economimc giant with some natrual resources the most populus nation in the world needs to thrive and grow. It's quite simple really. Now with hard-line communisits really out of the picture, these two giants can do more business and create bigger and better pacts. Regardless of the situation in Iraq, this is what would end up happening any way. Sure, maybe 9/11 and the war on terror has fasciliated things, but with everybody out to do business in the global economy, including "communist" China, these times make for scary bedfellows. The challenge for the US is to stregthen itself and get back to waging a proper trade war. Iraq is more of a flesh wound for the US then anything else, I think these two are just capitalizing on it, obviouslly.
From a geopolitical/military standpoint, I think there is not too much to worrry about just yet. China still covets Taiwan, yes, but building infrastructure and legtimizing their currency takes precedent right now. Russia is moving to tweak they're form of democracy and create money-making relationships with whomever wants or needs what Russia has to offer. In essence Iraq in certain regards is a Red Herring, due to the nature of the regime and its overall relevance to world powers. In the end it's all about leverage and seizing opportunities for these two emerging superpowers.

-Walrus