[mrobison]

You're all missing the obvious conclusion here: We will now reciprocally use Russia to hit China. Why do you think Bush and Putin are such good buddies now? Russia doesn't want to be China. They want to be the USA. Why do you think Bush pushed so hard on the SDI? Because when Russia kicks China down, we'll be safe.

It's Gog and Magog time, folks.

[spycatcher]

You're exactly right that ditching the ABM treaty and cozying up to Putin is *all* about China. But I don't know how much Putin will try to play both sides. They recently (pre 9-11) signed a Friendship and Cooperation Treaty with China. Notice how the Chinese quickly ratified it in October.

[Don Joe]

I would not be surprised if Russia initiates a first strike against China before China becomes strong enough to knock over Russia. If that happens, I think they may spin it as a "tragic accident", maybe an accidental launch precipitated by bad data indicating a Chinese attack, or something along those lines. Then, the two countries (US & Russia) would "help rebuild" China, in other words, occupy it to make sure it stayed "peaceful", and then rebuild it as a Western type nation. Sort of a replay of what the US did in Japan after WWII ended.

As to the ABM/SDI debacle, I see it as grandstanding for home consumption (in Russia), to shut up the remaining commies. I will be shocked if the SDI system isn't a joint US-Russia enterprise, with both countries covered by the same umbrella.

[XBob]

15 - bttt "You're all missing the obvious conclusion here: We will now reciprocally use Russia to hit China. Why do you think Bush and Putin are such good buddies now? Russia doesn't want to be China. They want to be the USA. Why do you think Bush pushed so hard on the SDI? Because when Russia kicks China down, we'll be safe. "

[Texas Gal]

It's Gog and Magog time, folks....and eggnog  (oh forgive me I could not resist))