2011-11-22, 20:42 | Link #17801 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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2011-11-23, 02:15 | Link #17803 | |
Moving in circles
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 49
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Ping-pong diplomacy version 2.0 marks new era
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2011-11-23, 06:00 | Link #17804 |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
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China factory sector shrinks most in 32 months
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7AM08P20111123
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2011-11-23, 08:20 | Link #17805 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Meanwhile the calls for Euro bonds are getting louder, with Merkel and Schäuble still playing reluctant. (Like they did with all other measures they eventually agreed to or didn't veto.) Of course the ECB is still continuing to buy PIIGS bonds, against all rules. http://translate.google.de/translate...9497%2C00.html http://translate.google.de/translate...9464%2C00.html |
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2011-11-23, 14:25 | Link #17806 | |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
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China says to go ahead with Pacific naval drills
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7AM0VH20111123 Quote:
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2011-11-23, 15:26 | Link #17807 | |
Underweight Food Hoarder
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I like how the comments to that article are making fun of Chinese's supposed mediocre military. It really shows where their concern lies. ---- I also recall the Canadian federal government is investing several billion dollars into expanding our naval fleet. I see a connection here, since we seem to mimic everything that the US is doing wrong. |
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2011-11-23, 15:52 | Link #17809 |
Gamilas Falls
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 46
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Well the Chinese are suppose to be building up their navy to be something like five carriers, whcih is half what the US Navy has. The think is the US Navy tends to not be able to be in one place at a time...the Chinese Navy could. Thus the worry. Add to this the Chinese supposed "carrier-killing missiles" with about a 3,000 mile range, and nuclear weapons (which they've had for decades) andpeople worry.
China has not been considered an expansionistic power though most of its history. It tends to make everyone come to it. However it is expanding what it considers "China" and is making efforts to keep what it considers "China" under its control. Unfortunately, the United States (and others) doesn't see all of what China thinks is "China" should be part of China...thus conflict. Taiwan being one of those conflicts of interest. Taiwan is heavily backed by the United States. The islands of the South China Sea are another conflict, though mostly with other nations that are not the United States, but would probably call on the United States if things went badly. The final thing is Japan, China's old rival for status in Asia. Japan has a "Defense Force" with little to no offesive ability. It is uncertain if the Japanese forces can defend against the new Chinese Navy and Air Force. As for Russia, they have been worried about the US anti-missile system ever since it was announced, as it potentialy renders their deterrent ability useless. If the US did a nuclear first strike, the Russian responce could be countered, thus making the old Cold War concept of mutually assured destruction almost moot. (the fallout from Russia would likely still effect the rest of the planet). The reverse is also true (the intent the US had for the system), that a Russian first strike could be destroyed, and the responce would either destroy Russia, or the Americans could negotiate with a now toothless Russia from a position of strength. Ever since Iran became a "threat" with its nuclear program, the missile defense system has been forward deployed to defend Eastern Europe and maybe Isreal from a nuclear missile from Iran...except that missiles from Iran would have to go over Russia to get to Europe, thus the defense system could also counter Russian missiles, and the forward deployment of them has been threatening to Russia ever since they were put there.
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2011-11-23, 17:04 | Link #17810 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Michele Bachmann’s Pakistan nuclear intelligence source revealed
""We have to recognize that 15 of the sites, nuclear sites are available or are
potentially penetrable by jihadists," Bachmann said. "Six attempts have already been made on nuclear sites. This is more than an existential threat. We have to take this very seriously."" See: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/mi...XN0Aw--;_ylv=3 |
2011-11-23, 17:22 | Link #17811 |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
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Given her past exageration/fabulation, I would be carefull about the credibility of the information she said.
( Yes Pakistan's situation is to be taken seriously but do Pakistan have even up to 15 nuclear site ? )
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2011-11-23, 17:37 | Link #17812 |
Gamilas Falls
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 46
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Considering that Pakistan's main reason for having nuclear weapons is as a deterrent against India...I'm guessing they have more on their minds than the United States..who isn't entirely friendly with India either.
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2011-11-23, 18:42 | Link #17814 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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Up till recently it looked like Spain was the Achilles heel. However Spain has been impressive in dealing with their budget problems and debt and the markets have rewarded them with stabilizing interest rates. The key problem now is Italy, if they can restore investor confidence as well with austerity measures Europe should be safe. It they can't it's difficult to predict what will happen, but I guess we will see a North/South fight on whose taxpayers will pick up the tab. |
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2011-11-24, 06:51 | Link #17816 | |
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Join Date: May 2007
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Considering US and Japan just concluded their exercise a couple of week ago with a carrier battle group (see below), another Chinese exercise with 6 ships (including supply ships) is somehow a "response" to other US moves in the region can't be more ridiculous. |
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2011-11-24, 07:12 | Link #17817 | |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
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France seeks Arab backing for Syria intervention
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7AM0QA20111124 Quote:
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2011-11-24, 07:37 | Link #17818 | ||
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Currently the Italian Prime Minister Monti and French President Sarkozy are meeting with German chancellor Merkel. Can't be long until she gives in to Euro bonds and/or extended ECB intervention. (Not that the latter would matter, as the ECB already buys bonds all day long against the rules.) |
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current affairs, discussion, international |
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