Since then, I believe the Chinese have learned that the US under George Bush must be respected, and that they cannot expect us to jump to every threat. In other words, we are not a paper tiger.
China and Islam are our two most dangerous potential enemies in the twenty-first century. China may not emerge as an open enemy, but to avoid it we must treat them fairly but firmly. Otherwise, they will continue to try to take every opening we offer when we show weakness or lack of resolve.
I suspect that continued war with Islam is inevitable. It is better to conduct it on our terms than theirs. War with China is not inevitable, but it can be avoided only if we show great firmness and prudence now. If we had continued to be weak as we were under clinton, and even under Nixon and Bush, not to speak of Carter, China would have slowly moved into the vacuum, into Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Taiwan. Since assuming office, however, Bush has already changed the relationship in a very hopeful way.