The New Cold War

New York Times ^ | may 14, 2008 | Tom Friedman

[freerepublic_or_die]

The next American president will inherit many foreign policy challenges, but surely one of the biggest will be the cold war. Yes, the next president is going to be a cold-war president — but this cold war is with Iran.

That is the real umbrella story in the Middle East today — the struggle for influence across the region, with America and its Sunni Arab allies (and Israel) versus Iran, Syria and their non-state allies, Hamas and Hezbollah. As the May 11 editorial in the Iranian daily Kayhan put it, “In the power struggle in the Middle East, there are only two sides: Iran and the U.S.”

For now, Team America is losing on just about every front. How come? The short answer is that Iran is smart and ruthless, America is dumb and weak, and the Sunni Arab world is feckless and divided. Any other questions?

The outrage of the week is the Iranian-Syrian-Hezbollah attempt to take over Lebanon. Hezbollah thugs pushed into Sunni neighborhoods in West Beirut, focusing particular attention on crushing progressive news outlets like Future TV, so Hezbollah’s propaganda machine could dominate the airwaves. The Shiite militia Hezbollah emerged supposedly to protect Lebanon from Israel. Having done that, it has now turned around and sold Lebanon to Syria and Iran.

All of this is part of what Ehud Yaari, one of Israel’s best Middle East watchers, calls “Pax Iranica.” In his April 28 column in The Jerusalem Report, Mr. Yaari pointed out the web of influence that Iran has built around the Middle East — from the sway it has over Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, to its ability to manipulate virtually all the

[freerepublic_or_die]

Religion is not merely another form of politics, of which Islam is the most viurlent, extreme. Religion in the form of the fanatical adherence as witnessed today in Iran, is the ultimate power, the ultimate tool in political demagoguery, where death is glorified, where the masses are motivated by their subserviance to a higher authority, one in which there is no compromiwse, can be no compromise.

Indeed,what civilization faces today in the form of an Iran rising, is a dilemma that Cold War politics in effectively relegating history's most perverse, tragic, costliest social experiement, the Soviet Union to the dustbin of history, will not resolve.

We are dealing with an indefatigable foe impervious to the strategies that proved successful in the past, where the arena of philosophies, ideas were played out on a level field, where adversaries cling to the life living in the here and now.

This is the power of religion as ultimate political weapon, relentless and uncomprising because it is one thing to compromise, adjust to the realities of realpolitik of this earthly existence, it's quite another when dealing with your own perceived Supreme Being,immortality.

[Eye On The Left]

From National Public Radio (NPR):
"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been visiting countries such as China, Iran and Russia as part of an effort to build a 'strategic alliance' of interests not beholden to the United States. He considers the United States his arch enemy.":
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5729764

From the Russian News and Information Agency:
"'I am determined to expand relations with Russia,' Chavez, known as an outspoken critic of what he calls the United States' unilateralism, told the Russian leader, adding that his determination stemmed from their shared vision of the global order.":
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060727/51913498.html

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order." http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html

Russia, China flex muscles in joint war games
Reuters: Aug 17, 2007

CHEBARKUL, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and China staged their biggest joint exercises on Friday but denied this show of military prowess could lead to the formation of a counterweight to NATO.

"Today's exercises are another step towards strengthening the relations between our countries, a step towards strengthening international peace and security, and first and foremost, the security of our peoples," Putin said.

Fighter jets swooped overhead, commandos jumped from helicopters on to rooftops and the boom of artillery shells shook the firing range in Russia's Ural mountains as two of the largest armies in the world were put through their paces.

The exercises take place against a backdrop of mounting rivalry between the West, and Russia and China for influence over Central Asia, a strategic region that has huge oil, gas and mineral resources.

Russia's growing assertiveness is also causing jitters in the West. Putin announced at the firing range that Russia was resuming Soviet-era sorties by its strategic bomber aircraft near NATO airspace.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29030120070817?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

U.S. Navy Intercepts Russian Bombers Flying Near Ships
Monday, February 11, 2008
WASHINGTON (Associated Press) U.S. fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers flying unusually close to an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific during the weekend, The Associated Press has learned.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330362,00.html

"the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century" -Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the collapse of the Soviet Union...
"World democratic opinion has yet to realize the alarming implications of President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union speech on April 25, 2005, in which he said that the collapse of the Soviet Union represented the 'greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.'
http://www.hooverdigest.org/053/beichman.html

From "45 Communist Goals":
Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963:

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

'Goals' 4-45 can be found here or at many other sites through a web search for "45 goals":
http://www.uhuh.com/nwo/communism/comgoals.htm

New Pentagon Report: China's Growing Military Space Power
By Leonard David
Special Correspondent, SPACE.com
March 6, 2008

GOLDEN, Colorado — A just-released Pentagon report spotlights a growing U.S. military concern that China is developing a multi- dimensional program to limit or prevent the use of space-based assets by its potential adversaries during times of crisis or conflict.

Furthermore, last year's successful test by China of a direct-ascent, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon to destroy its own defunct weather satellite, the report adds, underscores that country's expansion from the land, air, and sea dimensions of the traditional battlefield into the space and cyber-space domains.

Although China's commercial space program has utility for non- military research, that capability demonstrates space launch and control know-how that have direct military application. Even the Chang'e 1 — the Chinese lunar probe now circling the Moon — is flagged in the report as showcasing China's ability "to conduct complicated space maneuvers — a capability which has broad implications for military counterspace operations."

To read the entire publication [29.67MB/pdf], go to (U.S. Dept of Defense) :
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/China_Military_Report_08.pdf

Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs

February 29, 2008 :: News
MissileThreat.com

A video has surfaced of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama talking on his plans for strategic issues such as nuclear weapons and missile defense.

The full text from the video, as released, reads as follows:

Thanks so much for the Caucus4Priorities, for the great work you've been doing. As president, I will end misguided defense policies and stand with Caucus4Priorities in fighting special interests in Washington.

First, I'll stop spending $9 billion a month in Iraq. I'm the only major candidate who opposed this war from the beginning. And as president I will end it.[i.e. not win it]

Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending.

I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.

I will not weaponize space.

I will slow our development of future combat systems.

And I will institute an independent "Defense Priorities Board" to ensure that the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending.

Third, I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons. To seek that goal, I will not develop new nuclear weapons; I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material; and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair-trigger alert, and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.

You know where I stand. I've fought for open, ethical and accountable government my entire public life. I don't switch positions or make promises that can't be kept. I don't posture on defense policy and I don't take money from federal lobbyists for powerful defense contractors. As president, my sole priority for defense spending will be protecting the American people. Thanks so much.

Article: Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs:
http://missilethreat.com/archives/id.7086/detail.asp

"MissileThreat.com is a project of The Claremont Institute devoted to understanding and promoting the requirements for the strategic defense of the United States."

_____________________________________________________________

Obama Promises to Dismantle Our Armed Forces
by Robert Maginnis
Posted 04/10/2008 ET

(Mr. Maginnis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, a national security and foreign affairs analyst for radio and television and a senior strategist with the U.S. Army)

YouTube has an undated 52-second clip of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barrack Obama outlining his plans for America’s national defense. Obama’s presentation demonstrates either total naivete about important national security programs or he is just pandering for votes among the extreme left.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25942

Note: Although I sent Human Events the ORIGINAL youtube video several weeks ago (original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o84PE871BE ) and asked that they replace the copy they refer to (copy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs ), they still have not yet done so. The original comes directly from the Obama camp itself and so is a lot more credible. In any case, Col Maginnis does an excellent in-depth must read analysis of Obama's proposed defense policies (see: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25942).

[griswold3]

Wow!
Although communism has been proven to be a failed ideology. The constant yearn for power and control never ceases.
Iran and Russia teaming up to control the world’s oil is a challenge that America today would not confront.
Using hate is the most motivating force known to mankind. Even self hatred, as in the US today. We are no longer ‘worthy’ and are willing to give up our liberty just to get along.
Where’s the American Spirit?

[ravingnutter]

From my files:

April 30, 2001 - Russian military forces intervened in a mock nuclear conflict between China and the United States over Taiwan during strategic exercises that included Russian preparations to use nuclear weapons on U.S. forces in Asia, The Washington Times has learned.

Russian forces help China in mock conflict

Feb 2002 - China's military is covertly buying U.S. commercial satellite photographs of Taiwan that U.S. intelligence officials say will be used to target the island with the mainland's growing arsenal of cruise and ballistic missiles. Satellite photographs of most of the island are being purchased by China through a South Korean company, U.S. intelligence officials say.

Global Security

Nov 2003 - In a tough statement, the Vice-Minister at Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office Wang Zaixi said Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's recent pro-separatist activities had crossed Beijing's "red line" and that they "run the risk of triggering a war" with the mainland. "War will break out if the island declares formal independence," state media on Wednesday quoted Wang as saying.

CNN

July 26, 2004 - About 18,000 Chinese troops using their country's most advanced weapons systems last week rehearsed coordinated air, sea and ground attacks on Dongshan, an island in the South China Sea that resembles Taiwan in terrain and weather.

Washington Post

Feb 7, 2005 - Quietly, with almost no notice taken in the U.S. media, Russia and China have just stepped up their military cooperation to a level not seen in half a century since the end of the Korean War.

Washington Times

Mar 8, 2005 — China unveiled a law Tuesday authorizing an attack if Taiwan moves toward formal independence, increasing pressure on the self-ruled island while warning other countries not to interfere.

ABC News

June 26, 2005 - China is building its military forces faster than U.S. intelligence and military analysts expected, prompting fears that Beijing will attack Taiwan in the next two years, according to Pentagon officials. U.S. defense and intelligence officials say all the signs point in one troubling direction: Beijing then will be forced to go to war with the United States, which has vowed to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack.

Chinese Dragon Awakens

June 28, 2005 - China's decision to open up massive bomb shelters to the public, ostensibly to provide a respite from summer heat, has U.S. intelligence analysts concerned about a possible strategic deception by Beijing, reports Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin. The Chinese specialist agreed with others knowledgeable about nuclear arms that such a maneuver – opening up large fallout shelters to the public on a regular basis would serve two strategic purposes for Beijing: It would familiarize the Chinese people to the shelters, making it easier to evacuate the public in times of potential nuclear attack; It would confuse Western intelligence analysts who monitor movements of the Chinese public by satellite as evidence of the government's intentions; In addition to monitoring missile launches, U.S. national security officials keep an eye on large-scale public movements in countries like China. If, for instance, city residents were seen moving in large numbers into fallout shelters, it would be a sign the government might be preparing for an attack of some kind.

But if such massive movements became routine – because shelters are opened up in the heat of summer and in the cold of winter to provide shelters from the elements – then such movements would more likely be disregarded as militarily insignificant in the West.

"Think about it," said one U.S. intelligence source. "If you were planning, at some point in the future, to launch a pre-emptive first strike on some enemy, wouldn't it make sense to do what the Chinese are doing?"

China activates bomb shelters

[freerepublic_or_die]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Here is an expansion of my thoughts on this issue.

So, at what point does Civilization draw the line, at what point does it sink in that the era of Chamberlain has run its course, has been over for some time, at what point does the "epiphany" reveal itself, at what point do we respond to the "Invasion of Poland" moment a moment History has time and again demonstrated will soon be foisted upon is, whether we are ready or not?

[Eye On The Left]

Thanks! And to think Obama wants to cripple the U.S. militarily at this highly dangerous period in history. I hope everyone takes the time to learn more about this emerging threat. Because it is being all but ignored in the media, as is Obama’s statements on what he wants to do to our military.

[penowa]

"Yes, the next president is going to be a cold-war president — but this cold war is with Iran."

Does that mean the next president is going to be the first one since Jimmy Carter started the cold war with Iran, who is going to admit that we are actually in a cold war with Iran instead of like his predecessors pretending it isn't happening?

[freerepublic_or_die]

Does that mean the next president is going to be the first one since Jimmy Carter started the cold war with Iran

Jimmy Carter did not start the cold war with Iran.

Jimmy Carter in the feckless, pusillaminous guise of chicken-sh*t naif, gave rise to, spawned, created, what has metastized into the Cold War with Iran.

[penowa]

When Carter arranged for the Shah to be replaced by the flakes and nuts who are still running Iran because the Shah wasn’t willing to pay Jimmah and his buddies their payoffs, he started the cold war with Iran.

[griswold3]

Good question for which I don’t have the answer but another question, is there a natural ebb and flow of ‘Liberty’? Civilizations rise and fall driven by forces from within.
Now, we are facing the prospect of the United States no longer being the standard bearer of ‘civil society’. The progressives are for taking away our exceptionalism so we are not be standing out from the crowd. Don’t dare mention American Superiority! That’s arrogance! Don’t be too prideful when other people don’t have what you have. That’s greedy! We’re all to become equal, a collective with limited worth.
The ‘Chamberlains’ are and will be plentiful. There will always be those that believe appeasement or ‘feeding the crocidiles hoping they will eat you last’ because it’s easy! Those that ignore history etc..
If your reference to the “Invasion of Poland” moment, I assume you’re talking about Islamic Extremists’ attack.
I can’t imagine ‘progressives’ standing up to them or condemning them because that would mean George W. Bush was right. And they would rather die than admit that!

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Jefferson.

[griswold3]

Jimmah Carter was naive to believe the Iranian Revolution was only carried out by students and workers. He thought it was going to become democratic socialist/communist which was fine by him.
But the Islamic Revolution that picked up where they left off was the result. The ones most willing to be ruthless and bloodthirsty will always win.
A student who thought that democracy was winning, went back to Iran to help. He was lined up and shot by the Islamic regime.

[Jacquerie]

Today’s Iran is the love child of Jimmy Carter. Thank goodness he got rid of that nasty Shah.

[af_vet_rr]

China is a much more dangerous threat than Iran. Unlike Iran, China has their hands wrapped around our economy..... unfortunately, regardless of what they say and their military build-up, President Bush keeps trying to tell us they are our friends.

[griswold3]

Have you been talking to George W Bush?

He used your ‘Chamberlain’ reference I do believe!
Go GW!
If someone tells you they want to kill you, believe them!

[SunkenCiv]

Not happenin’. Iran’s mullahcracy will have to be removed, period, and it will be.

Syrian Ambassador to U.S. Slams Bush Administration—
‘So Naive, Superficial, and Stupid’
MEMRI | 5-15-08
Posted on 05/15/2008 5:54:24 AM PDT by SJackson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016274/posts

Lebanon: Syria ‘protecting Hezbollah’
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2157880268
Posted on 05/13/2008 9:00:18 AM PDT by jhpigott
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015297/posts

President Bush Speaks the Truth of Appeasement in Israel
(And the Democrats are Outraged)
Flopping Aces | May 15th, 2008 | Mike’s America
Posted on 05/15/2008 12:13:53 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016461/posts

[Berosus]

I knew Thomas Friedman was not a trustworthy source when I went shopping and saw the book he had written in 2004.

“The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century”

Considering that the twenty-first century was only into its fourth year, Mr. Friedman managed to squeeze two whopping errors into one title. How often does that happen?

[okie01]

I knew Thomas Friedman was not a trustworthy source...

As one of the left's certified "deep thinkers", Thomas Friedman has a daunting responsibility.

Consequently, he is often entrusted with the problem of "defending the indefensible", "selling the unsaleable" or "manufacturing the lie".

And, truth is, he's not very good at his job...

[SunkenCiv]

:’)