Many will disagree with the following.
I believe the Russians and the Americans can be much closer than they are. I do not look upon them as a similar threat to China or even the Saudis.
The peoples of the two countries are very simpatico; in fact, Russia's eastward Siberian expansion mirrors the westward one of the US.
I had hope that after 9.11 we would have become closer seeing we have a common threat from SaudiPak nexus of terror.
The SinoIslami Alliance is the one to fear.
I agree, too. I see no reason that Russia and America need to compete geopolitically in any other way besides economic. If we solve our mutual problems together with India, Japan, and Israel, a very bright future for the human race could ensue.
This totally depends on the Russians. The DPRK situation is critical. If they can reverse it by influencing the bespectacled one to stop developing WMDs, then we might have gotten somewhere. Also, if they can persuade Iran to back off on WMD development there would be real progress if taken together. And if we are not being asked to give up anything not already in our interest to do so, then we have the clencher. I'll believe this when I see it.
And yes, the possibility of an emerging Islamic-Chinese axis is curious; it follows the wild speculation brought forward by some who have read Unrestricted Warfare --
http://web.elastic.org/~fche/mirrors/cryptome.org/cuw.htm Do you have any solid linkage to expose? What do you think of Dan Mahony's bits at
http://www.danmahony.com/binladen1.htm Meanwhile, long live Balance Iroquois and Cope!
http://forum.apan-info.net/summer03/4_11/4.html