Russia, China, Iran, Islamic terror groups -- How does the free world prioritize trouble?

"What is the lesser of two evils? Or, rather, what is the least likely to occur? A nuclear armed Iran? A confrontation with Russia or China? Al-Qaeda or the Taliban? Civil War in Iraq? Pakistan turned over to the radical Muslims?" That's how John E. Carey begins his excellent article, "Prioritizing Trouble" at Peace and Freedom.

These are the kind of question the U.S. and the U.K. have been facing and now face. [snip]

The problem is, there is only so much military muscle, skilled diplomats and sharp strategists to deal with such an array of difficulties simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. [snip]

Russia and China have been neglected by the west. And Russia is now stuffed with cash from oil revenue while China holds more U.S. dollars and debt than almost anyone else. Even while American consumers gobble up lawn chairs, Bar-B-Qs and toys for their kids made in China, China says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies have wrongly overblown the summer long season on bad news about China.

You can bet that in China, there are those accusing the U.S. of manufacturing the bad news.

Unfortunately, manufacturing of everything else in the U.S. is at low ebb.

All this makes for and ever increasingly dangerous and even more multi-polar world.

The next President of the United States will face a multitude of international challenges. The problem will be: how to we assemble our team, martial our resources and prioritize the trouble spots?

Russia has a $250 billion plan to restore it's military might while Washington is poo-pooing the latest flight of Russian nuclear bombers, saying if Russia wants to pull their old military out of moth balls, so what?

The MiG-35 and MiG-29 fighters, which Russia plans to showcase at this week’s Moscow international air show, are just a small part of a £100 billion ($A249 billion) plan to return the Russian military to the heights of its Cold War might. (more at www.MilesMcCabe.co.nr)

In Return of the Russian Bear, (Washington Times) by Oliver North, he states:

The Great Horned Owl is a magnificent raptor with feathers so soft its prey can’t even hear it coming until it’s too late. But even this superb hunter has a major challenge to overcome — it cannot move its eyes. To scan forest or field for danger — or its next meal — the owl, its eyes fixed straight ahead, must rotate its head.

Today, the U.S. national security apparatus is much like an owl with a stiff neck.

In "The Coming Urban Terror "-- Systems disruption, networked gangs, and bio-weapons, John Robb (Hat tip Ortho at Baudrillard's Bastard) points out the new type of terror and challenge Americans may be facing with Islamic terror groups inside the US:

For the first time in history, announced researchers this May, a majority of the world’s population is living in urban environments. Cities—efficient hubs connecting international flows of people, energy, communications, and capital—are thriving in our global economy as never before. However, the same factors that make cities hubs of globalization also make them vulnerable to small-group terror and violence. (more)

Back to China, this report says, "Radio sensing stations to track traffic and cargo up and down the I-35 NAFTA Superhighway corridor are being installed by Communist China, operating through a port operator subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, in conjunction with Lockheed Martin and the North America's SuperCorridor Coalition, Inc." Oops!

Yes, the next President of the United States will have a very full plate. Who that person is will be determined by average Americans like you and me. Choose wisely.

Related reads: War By Every Possible Means (John E. Carey)

The latest on the war in Iraq and the overall war on terror can be found at The Thunder Run.
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Comments

[Carlos Carboney]

Enimies? All muslims outside the states and some inside the states. Then there's afghanistan, pakistan, plus all the other Whatever-Stans that we can't stand. Al Quida, taliban, mahdi army, countless jihadis, iraq, iran, syria, hezbola, somalia, dufar, columbia, venesuala, bolivia, cuba, korea, and the frosting...china and russia.
I think it's time to kick some ass! And time to show them what America is all about! BRING IT ON! LET'S ROLL!

[billy]

It shouldn't go unmentioned that we are the world's first lone superpower. Nobody has ever gone before us. We are writing the book on how to do this and everyone else is sitting back taking notes and learning from our mistakes. Undoubtedly, the next will tell themselves they will do better but they will make mistakes and on it will go (lone superpower rule) until the next technological leap.

There have been many powerful players in their own regions with their own spheres of influence but nobody before the USA has done this on a world-wide scale. Perhaps, rather than regional conflicts between old enemies we will now enter an age of world dominion with the USA being the first to try it. Perhaps Russia and China will go next but how long do you suppose any peace will remain between those two?

[Angel]

Deb, I'm losing count of our enemies already!

[Faultline USA]

This is absolutely frightening when it is seen all together in print. And then, of course, are the home-grown enemies and leftist supporters of our enemies.

[Rastaman]

No nation lasts forever. Whatever rises eventually falls, and America will no doubt follow historical suit. Just when is anyones guess, however there are other nations anxious to be top dog and one of them eventually will be, only to lose that place to some other nation later.

The problem with being THE superstar is that first everyone pats you on the back and asks for your help and generosity. But after they get it they don't want to pay you back and are resentful of being just satellites in the glow of your orbit.

Then everyone wants to see you put down and they back up the next big dog to fight you. Staying Number One means having to be constantly alert and ready to take on all comers.

In the 1940's the world was nearly conquered by tiny little Germany and Japan. Today we have mighty China and Russia against us on one side, and the muslims attacking us both from within and without on the other. Our old allies have formed their own union now that doesn't include us.

Our government has become lax and self-serving. Our borders are unprotected. Our indebtedness to our enemies is vast and increasing.

How long would you expect a country like that to last if it were, say, Poland or France or Turkey or Russia or China?

Well?

Rastaman
www.IslamaNazi.com