I always thought we should have developed a better thought out plan for dealing with the Soviet Union. First of all, it was money that fostered out relationship with the China. All America saw was a big fat market of a billion people. We sell them the good stuff and they get better technology (by any means necessary) and we get toys! I am critical of our China policy since Reagan’s time—under both the Republicans and the Democrats. We should have gone slower.
When the Soviet Union failed and broke up, I really think a lot of people reveled in the fact that Russia was a basket case that was being governed by a drunk (Yeltsin) and robbed blind by the oligarchy.
We can’t undo the mistakes of the last 25 or so years, but we can begin by having somewhat of a different relationship with the Russians. NATO is a joke. Back off having Ukraine and Georgia as part of NATO (they should be able to be part of the EU—but that’s up to the Euros not the USA) In reality it consists of US, the Brits, the Poles (as a reliable support) and the Turks (who have a decent army, but are not always on the same page as us)—I mean the rest of Western Europe is a joke.
As far as Russia and China getting cozy, China sees itself as eventually taking over Russia (at least the Asian part of it) eventually. The Russians are really in not so good shape. They have never been a demure people (therefore, the heavy handedness of most of their actions) and many of those recent actions have been an inconvenience for the US.
I believe that there is a possibility to be worked out with Russia where it could be a win-win situation for both us and them. If a number of joint actions were taken by Russia and the together, we could have the mullahs hanging themselves from the nearest minaret by their own turbans (or at least their wive’s burkhas). This doesn’t have to be a ground invasion of Iran (another economic basket case that could be easily imploded).
My thoughts run along the same lines as yours, with a few differences not worth mentioning.
I don’t think a ground invasion is necessary either. I do think we are going to have to use some muscle though.
Europe should be screaming bloody murder about this, because Iran’s missile can reach their territory. I guess that’s okay with them though, since they remain silent about it.