[xzins]

You aren't suggesting that the EU, Russia, and China could be as easily overcome as was Iraq are you?

[Poohbah]

I'm suggesting that there's no plausible reason for NEEDING to overcome them.

China, IMNHO, is riding for a big fall into warlordism. Russia's key interests are simply holding on to what they have--they're not going to be expansionist within my lifetime (and I have a fair amount left). The EU is going to have one hell of a problem trying to throw its weight around--despite strenuous efforts to paper over nationalist sentiments, any military venture will be favored by a minority and opposed by a majority.