Posted on 05/30/2009 7:46:00 AM PDT by kellynla
With attention focused on North Korea's brinkmanship on nuclear weapons and missiles, another potential crisis is brewing that is about ready to spill over into violence, with Vietnam apparently preparing to challenge China's ownership of a string of islands thought to be the link to billions of dollars worth of oil.
In asserting its rights to the Spratly Islands also claimed by China, Vietnam has ordered six Project 636 Kilo-class submarines from Russia and has gotten permission for the purchase, in addition to other military arms Vietnam has ordered.
Russia sees the sales as strategically beneficial and Chinese critics suggest Russia is trying to gain "strategic benefit by stepping up arms sales to Southeast Asian countries. Its arms sales to Vietnam possibly have special significance for Russia, because returning to Cam Ranh Bay has been a goal long cherished by Russia."
Given China's protective view that East Asia is in its sphere of influence, any new introduction of a Russian military presence, including military assistance to an old adversary, can only exacerbate their relationship.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Is this shaping up to be like the Iran/Iraq war, where we get to sit back, much popcorn, and hope for a long show?
The Vietnamese would be fools to try it.
Yep. This ain’t the late ‘70s early ‘80s when the Vietnamese gave the invading Chinese a black eye. I don’t think things would work out that way today.
IIRC, the Annamese and the Chinese have been at war on and off for centuries.
Viet Nam Gearing For War With China?
They’ve got Russian help. Fire up that old ‘50s “border dispute” again between China and Russia. That oughtta be good for something.
I think you meant “munch” popcorn. LOL
well I hope the Lefties in D.C. don't think for a second that my fellow Marines are going BACK to Viet Nam...’cause they'd be in for a RUDE AWAKENING!
I say “Nuke ‘em all and let God sort it out!”
Semper Fi,
Kelly
the reality is NO ONE will dare to fight China in it´s own backyard. this times are gone forever that you could take on china in Asia an posible win.
Looking at the map, how do the Chicoms claim the Spratly’s?
Quagmire.
Can you dig up a map of whos drilling and exploring the gul of mexico ?
This has been the buzz in the American Vietnamese community for a few weeks now.
Apparently Hanoi thinks the U.S.A. will come to its assistance against China (at least diplomatically), after a decade of quasi-cordial relations (which by the way have come at a very high price in “aid” to Viet Nam via The World Bank and other Western sources).
I was visiting Vietnam in Nov. 2003 when we (the U.S.) docked a U.S. Navy frigate - the USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) - in the Port Of Saigon for the first time since the VN war, and at the same time observed *at least 100* uniformed Aussie military personnel milling around in downtown Saigon.
It’s not clear if any foreign military personnel or vessels have been in Hanoi in recent years, or even in Haiphong (as was rumored to be in the works many years ago).
In any case, Hanoi has been making skittish overtures for Western military support for the last 10 years.
If only they would abandon Communism and the Cult Of Bac Ho.
Don’t underestimate the VNs. THey have bloodied China’s nose before. They know how to organize, and how to fight.
You are right. Absolutely no reason for us to get involved at all. And you’re right about the popcorn. I did mean munch, not much, but now that I think of it I could have said munch much popcorn. :)
China has come a long way since “the 70’s”, and the Vietnamese have not.
While the Big “O” is busy destroying America the rest of the world is taking advantage of his lack of experience in foreign affairs. A conflagration is in the offing.
Basically, because it's called the South CHINA Sea. They claim it all, up to the beaches of the other country.
And they are now the 500 pound gorilla.
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