[ClearCase_guy]

It's been quite awhile since the Great Powers really took the measure of each other. All the countries you mention will be watching each other closely and will react in accordance to what they see both now, and over the next 10-20 years.

China, for one, is interested in Asia and in Africa. Is trhe US a paper tiger? Does the US panic when a single ship is sunk? The Chinese will definitely take note of how we behave. And the Iranian nuclear program, and North Korea, and others.

Global Power is in flux. The WWI analogy has been done to death, but there is good reason to think that great nations will make some bad choices and then it will all go smash.

[jpsb]

"The WWI analogy has been done to death"

True but that does not make it wrong. Russia has been looking for an opportunity to embarrass/bloody the USA. Seems Syria is that opportunity. We have no business in Syria and it is insane to get involved as allies of the Christian killing Al Quada. I think everyone in DC has lost their minds.