NUCLEAR WAR LOOMS IN SOUTH ASIA

Wednesday on the Web ^ | December 30, 2001 | Eric Margolis

[L,TOWM]

Interesting take. Somewhat alarmist for my tastes, but considering that these two countries have as bloody a history as the Mid-East players, and now have nukes, a situation well worth watching.

Also a cogent analysis. Pakistan would (most likely) not enjoy the trip to the woodshed India could put on them if it came to full scale hostillities. India would have to pull some punches to make sure that mushroom season does'nt come to their sub-continent.

[L,TOWM]

bttt and my apologies for a post and run, but it is my bedtime. Check in tomorrow; G'night all...

[ChicagoRepublican]

It's a very good analysis, especially the part that notes that Vajpayee is cautious. He is very cautious and that combined with US pressure in my mind is one of the factors that will help stop a war.

[Billy_bob_bob]

I was under the impression that tensions were ratcheting down in the Kashmir region. Are these countries actually backing down from conflict, or is this the proverbial "calm before the storm?"

[meenie]

India would be all over Pakistan like hair on an ape if it wasn't for China threatening on its border. This is a case of three nations tied together with their own ambitions and afraid to move against the other two. A three-way knife fight never happens. A lot of bluster and threats but about all.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

I have been reading Eric Margolis' column for several years, since he often has something intelligent and interesting to say about areas of the world that I know a fair amount about (unlike most other "geopolitical" columnists, who tend to be liberal morons rehashing the Party line).

If Mr Margolis, with his miltary and journalistic experience, believes that another India-Pakistan War is probably on the way, then I tend to believe him.

This will be the real test for the Colin Powell State Department.

[Billy_bob_bob]

Did anyone see "The good, the bad and the ugly"? A three way fight quickly becomes a two way fight if one of the players is a lot weaker than the others, or caught in a disadvantaged position.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

"A three-way knife fight never happens"

LOL! Actually, though, I have seen a couple of three-way knife fights, as well as a memorable five-way!! (Drugs and alcohol may have been involved...)

But you are correct that China is critical in restraining India- if it were only India and Pakistan, there would now be a very large depression where Pakistan used to be.

[jonascord]

What if, just for grins, we (by which I mean the US,) just sat this one out? In effect, if the Indians and the Pakistanis start lobbing nukes at each other, the US gets all of our Military out of the area, leaves all the tourists seeking enlightenment behind, expresses outrage and horror, strongly condemns both sides, and lets two enemies of Western culture obliterate each other? If either side shoots at us, we throw a few cruise missles, ala clinton, at the offending side, but otherwise NOT TAKE SIDES! What If...?

[Light Speed]

Islam is out of control...they may curb this stand-off..but Sons of Ishmael will put a match to it again and again. Same with the mid-east..Even if Israel gives the "Gargoyle of Gaza" his state...nothing changes...the unimaginable will occur...it's a terminal path...only way to stop it is to detonate Neutronics in the deserts of Saudi Arabia... Syria..Iran...and Egypt....radiation will dissapait...loss of life will be low..but with that action..a one time deal..Democracy...no more Islamic /religious state...or bye..bye. Its radicall..would scare the world half to death..but that factor would work in everyones favour... alas..I am dreaming..for the resolve is not there..and the conflagration referenced in the Bible and other prophetic writings will undoubtadly happen.. I have this bad feeling..Sept 11th was a warning from the Almighty to get off our assess and deal with this..for the planets sake...there is a time limit on dealing with Islam.. failure to reign them in..will cost the planet millions later. Some think I have discernment..some tell me to adjust the tin foil on my head!

[Thorondir]

Avoiding war with the hell-bent mohammedan animals is nothing more than dumping it on the next generations. What an evil and cowardly thing to do to our children. We must take up the burden and wipe out, or at least decimate the enemy for the sake of human civilization.

[ambrose]

Did anyone see "The good, the bad and the ugly"? A three way fight quickly becomes a two way fight if one of the players is a lot weaker than the others, or caught in a disadvantaged position.

Or who has an unloaded gun.

[ambrose]

Did anyone see "The good, the bad and the ugly"? A three way fight quickly becomes a two way fight if one of the players is a lot weaker than the others, or caught in a disadvantaged position.

Speaking of which, whatever happened to Tuco Bad?

[Mark17]

Speaking of which, whatever happened to Tuco Bad?

You mean Eli Wallach? As far as I know, he is still alive and kicking, though Lee Van Cleef died some years ago.

[Cobra64]

But you are correct that China is critical in restraining India- if it were only India and Pakistan...

The Chinese are not stupid. I'd bet that they're sitting back, rubbing their hands over a hot kettle of tea, just waiting to see the unfolding events between Inja and Paki.

China will pick its teeth on the survivors' bones.

W, C, P, R, R better be on mental full alert for a long time.

[ambrose]

You mean Eli Wallach? As far as I know, he is still alive and kicking, though Lee Van Cleef died some years ago.

NO, I mean Tuco Bad. He promised to leave Free Republic if Bush lost California but won the election. He's still here though.

[ambrose]

You mean Eli Wallach? As far as I know, he is still alive and kicking, though Lee Van Cleef died some years ago.

NO, I mean Tuco Bad. He promised to leave Free Republic if Bush lost California but won the election. He's still here though.

[Tuco-bad]

Hark Hark!

Do I hear a ping?

[Tuco-bad]

NO, I mean Tuco Bad. He promised to leave Free Republic if Bush lost California but won the election. He's still here though.

Let's be more accurate here!

I promised not to post (though I sin once in a while), but I still lurk.