WW III will look like this :
India, Britain, Japan, Russia, US vs China, Iraq, Pakistan, Terrorists, other Arabs. With perhaps Iran and Saudi sitting out. If Israel gets in... well...
There are no plausible scenarios where the Russians attack us. They know us. They understand and can reason with us. They have dealt with us. They do not want to deal with Muslim fanatics. I'd imagine Putin has a lot more nightmares about Arab attacks than he does us....
Russia has a vested interest in protecting itself from Muslim/Arab powers. Further, they have an interest in our own survival.
Nah, you read it right. If we go, there's nothing stopping China from moving 10,000,000 infantry in the only free direction they can march.... North.
The supposition I have seen here, about Russia's strategic goals made sense. (Sorry FReeper, I forgot you.) Northern Hemisphere against the South or Middle.
My belief is we'll see a lot more US and Russian cooperation. And if we could shed the vestiges of the Cold War, we could probably cooperate for some geniune good.
If we have to have this Global Political organization (and I admit , that sooner or later, in one form or another .... global government is inevitable) - I'd certainly prefer to have the Russians at the bargaining table than the Muslims. At least that way, there's a slim chance of a Republican form of government. With shared history, similar ideals, and worldviews. This is not possible under any Muslim rule or coalition.
To Ponder: Russia has more Chinese illegal immigrants than we have Mexicans... And the Mexicans don't have 1.2 Billion people, tanks and Nuclear weapons.
Madrussian ping : Is my analysis correct?