09-01-2016, 10:23 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-01-2016, 10:28 AM by Cynic Hero '86.)
(09-01-2016, 09:26 AM)John J. Xenakis Wrote: I never refer to cultural/political alignments. I do refer to
identity groups, but those are based on history. Cultural
relationships are often the most vitriolic, as can be seen in any
divorce court. On the other hand, sometimes the people who stab you
in the back are the ones that you're emotionally dependent on, since
the sex is so good after you make up.
There's absolutely no history to support the belief that Russia and
China are going to be united on anything except ephemerally. They
hate each other, they've been in massive bloody wars with each other
for centuries, and they were close to war as recently as 1970. China
is totally disgusted with Russia for the collapse of Russia's
communist party. Their respective client states, India and Pakistan,
are close to thermonuclear war. They're competing for resources in
Russia's Far East and in Central Asia. Russia is on Vietnam's side in
the South China Sea.
They only have one thing in common. They're both imitating Hitler by
annexing regions belonging to other nations, they're both contemptuous
of the United States and the United Nations. Those "commonalities"
could dissolve at a moment's notice.
Actually, they do have one more thing in common. They both want to
kill jihadists in Syria - Caucasians and Uighurs. But China is allied
with Saudi Arabia and Russia is allied with Iran, so that part of
Utopia won't last for long either.
As for domestic politics, Chaos Theory tells us that you can't predict
elections.
China has no alliance with the Saudis right now Just trade and weapon shipment arrangements, The Saudis are a US ally, as are the Turks, the Egyptians and the Israelis. China has far more military links with Iran. If Iran and Saudi Arabia went to war today, China would have to side with Iran. Also Russia is on China's side in the SCS, they are scheduled to carry out joint military exercises there.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/milit.../87651530/
As for domestic politics you mention the policies of the current Obama administration as if they will stick, If the incoming trump administration has sworn to repudiate everything the current Obama administration does ( as well as many long-standing policies followed by the previous 4 or 5 administrations). How can the current policies become the basis of the 4T policy if they are repudiated?
