[KDD]

silent leges inter arma...

loosely translated from the latin, means that in time of war the laws are silent and the guns speak.

Iraq is a stategic necessity in countering what will be this country's biggest challenge in the next quarter century...China. A friendly government installed by the U.S. that will allow U.S. military bases in its country will do much to end conflict in the Middle East, stop terrorism and provide a staging area for upcoming conflicts with China, whether such conflicts happen in N. Korea or Taiwan.

Of course we can't say that.

But why else would we aim a cannon at a gnat?

[Jeff Head]

I agree China is the largest, looming external threat. I also believe they either already have, or certainly will, play off the Radical Islamic issue as cannon fodder and a huge distraction while they continue their own moves, up to and including military action if we are distracted/engaged enough.

I try and make that clear and it is one of the foundational purposes for the series, DRAGON'S FURY

FRegards.