[Carry_Okie]

I don't think the Chinese have thought this through thoroughly.

On the contrary. Their efforts are careful, consistent, patient, inexpensive, and effective. You should note the breadth and depth of their efforts in Latin America, from the Panama Canal through Chavez in Venezuela to the Bahamas. Their alliances with Mexico are longstanding while Mexican contact with Taiwan is nil. Their ability to supply and augment military transport to our Southeast is increasing rapidly. It is clear that they intend to use strife both internally and all across our southern perimeter to prevent us from responding to their agressions across the Pacific. You will note growing distaste in Mexico for US policy in the Middle East and their willingness to abet trans-shipment of Arab terrorists into this country.

[thatsnotnice]

The Chinese view the U.S. as a hegemon in decline and have told everyone that will listen that they will fill the void as the U.S. vacates an area or press us when we stagnate in an area. They have been doing so. It’s no secret.

[sam_paine]

Their alliances with Mexico are longstanding while Mexican contact with Taiwan is nil.

Are you suggesting a Taiwan-China conflict where Mexico and the "Reconquistas" would be allied with China and we would be fighting for the "1848 borders."

Seems far fetched, but stranger things happen.

[Map Kernow]

Their efforts are careful, consistent, patient, inexpensive, and effective. You should note the breadth and depth of their efforts in Latin America, from the Panama Canal through Chavez in Venezuela to the Bahamas. Their alliances with Mexico are longstanding while Mexican contact with Taiwan is nil. Their ability to supply and augment military transport to our Southeast is increasing rapidly. It is clear that they intend to use strife both internally and all across our southern perimeter to prevent us from responding to their agressions across the Pacific. You will note growing distaste in Mexico for US policy in the Middle East and their willingness to abet trans-shipment of Arab terrorists into this country.

At least since World War I (remember the "Zimmermann telegram"?), the enemies of the United States have tried to gain Mexico's cooperation in a joint strategy against the United States. The incentive offered has always been the "restoration" of lands in the American Southwest that many, if not most, Mexicans still consider legitimately part of Mexico. The Chinese are very much aware of this, especially the continuing historical enmity between the US and Mexico over the 1846-48 war. Let's not kid ourselves: our border with Mexico is now, and will increasingly be in the future, a source of threats to our national security, aided and abetted by deep rooted Mexican popular hostility towards the US, and China has exploited and will increasingly exploit our vulnerability on our southern border. Depend on it.