As if it were just about a few oil fields. Ask yourself why North Korea decided to act up just as we prepare for war with Iraq. If you are interested, see my FreeRepublic home page for collaborating links. There are too many to post here.
"The failure of US policy makers to comprehend the veiled aggressiveness and hostility towards the United States inherent in Sino-Russian strategy and the belief that the political and economic reforms in Russia and the partial introduction of capitalism in China have foreshadowed these countries' development into real democracies, have eroded the effectiveness of US policies in the foreign affairs, defence, intelligence and counter-intelligence fields. US policymakers have recklessly accepted the premise that Russia and China are no longer their enemies, but are rather potential allies and partners fully deserving of US support. Only countries like Iran, Iraq and North Korea - which (ironically, in this context) work secretly with Russia and China - are still considered potential adversaries.US policymakers should urgently re-examine their assumptions about the 'progress' of Russia and China 'towards democracy'. They should take account of Sino-Russian strategy and should recognise that the long-term strategic, political and economic threat comes from a Sino-Russian axis{of evil?} and associated participants like North Korea, Iran, Iraq and Syria. The Russian and Chinese leaders are still committed to their objective of world domination and believe that, disguised as 'democrats', in accordance with Leninist teaching, they will be able to achieve it..."
Red China and Russia unite to create New World Order says communist newspaper (6/18/01)
Russia, China sign historic friendship treaty (7/16/01)
Russia, N.Korea, China give Iran missile aid -CIA (9/8/01)
Russia to hold military drills with China:1st time in more than 30 years (4/28/02)
"The present Russian and Chinese leaders face three centers of nuclear military power with which they have to deal: The United States, Western Europe and Israel.""They calculate that they will be able to neutralize American military power through the combination of their new 'democratic' image, their 'partnership' with the United States and nuclear disarmament negotiations and agreements."
Russia's hidden nuclear missiles: Clinton turned blind eye to major treaty violations (6/5/00)
Nuclear Strategy and Small Nuclear Forces: The Conceptual Components (6/22/00)
Russia urges U.S. to reduce nuclear arsenal (11/13/00)
Nuclear experts warn against implementation of START II Treaty and US Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament (2/6/01)
Russia Criticizes U.S. Defense Spending Buildup (6/29/01)
Russian Defector Warns US against Planned Unilateral Disarmament Measures (7/19/01)
Moscow tests new missile {Designed to defeat U.S. missile defenses} (7/29/01)
Russians at Pentagon for missile talks {Russians get missile-shield details} (8/9/01)
DoD News: Special Briefing on the Nuclear Posture Review (1/15/02)
Russia To Retain MIRV'd ICBMs Beyond START II Deadline (8/27/02)
"It should be remembered that soon after the adoption of the Sino-Soviet strategy formulated in 1958-60, Mao, one of its main authors, uttered words to the effect that 'We should pull the United States' nuclear teeth and turn it into a paper tiger'." -Golitsyn
Ask yourself why North Korea decided to act up just as we prepare for war with Iraq.
I figure they realize that our Clinton-depleted military is most likely unable to fight two wars simultaneously (without resorting to nukes), and that provoking us in the manner that they present are might just get us to divide our forces to the point where they might not be effective at fighting either. It's no coincidence that Bush placed those two nations in the Axis, and that NK weapons shipments to Iraq occur with regularity. God only knows what kind of arrangement they have. The NK's are trying to get us to bite prematurely, and we're not falling for it. After Iraq is taken care of, we'll turn our attention to them.
As if it were just about a few oil fields.
I haven't read your links yet, but tell me in your own words why Russia would risk nuclear annihilation over Iraq. I'm very interested.