[Wudan Master]

Another interesting question," could a few F-18s given to a country be enough to make a it become a major world power?"

Hardly the "Big Boys" are already playing with new generation toys like molecular nanotechnology, laser, EMG, GAMMA, etc and yeah, SPACE, don't forget space weapons. "The country that controls the high ground in Space, will be the dominant military power"

In general, a few F-18s , SU-30s, KILOs, SAVA cruisers, aircraft-carriers don't frighten anybody,but stuff like molecular nanoteechnology would, a superpower make. That separates the Men from the boys

[Wudan Master]

Yet another question, if one would to use LOGIC, "why should the US create YET another Monster (Frankenstein), as if the current one Monster is NOT enough ?

If China is regarded as a potential Frankenstein why should the US intentionaly create a second potential one in India ?

Somehow I think the US too smart and street-wise to really make India into a real power, and the second monster after China

Unless, if one head-ache is NOT enough, HEY, how about we have two head-aches ...........two for the price of one ?

[Cronos]

but stuff like molecular nanoteechnology would

What the hick are you talking about? Molecular nanotechnology? You mean chemistry. Molecular level interactions have been done for centuries now (think cehmistry) and if you're talking about atomic manipulations -- DONE. Your entire gamut of supposed 'weapons' molecular nanotechnology, laser, EMG, GAMMA, etc and yeah, SPACE, don't forget space weapons is a dang silly list. Those are just leetle jargon words you've tossed in. The reason the US controls a large part of the world is down to old fashioned HARDWARE -- our NAVY and our Marines. Russian planes can match most American planes (except for the F22) and most armies can take on our army in a head to head battle (with no air support). Our NAVY rules.