> China, Russia, France, Germany & Co would be delighted if the US were to become embroiled in another long and bloody campaign. And they will see to it that it is as long and bloody as possible.
atimes.com
>>Initially, Moscow supported Washington's "war on terrorism". However, the US invasion of Iraq changed this support into resistance, and later into active efforts to counterbalance the US. In the past two years both Washington and Moscow have sought to strengthen their influence in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Events surrounding the recent election in the Ukraine signal that the competition for influence between the US and Russia has increased.
More significantly, Moscow is working diligently to strengthen its ties with Iran, Syria and China - countries that Washington considers to be adversaries. In addition to supplying Tehran with dual use nuclear technology, Russia is also selling Iran a broad array of conventional military equipment. Many believe that Moscow is also supplying Tehran with missile technology and equipment.
Early this year, Israeli media reported that Russia had concluded a deal with Damascus to sell Syria sophisticated shoulder-fired and stationary missiles. Both Syria and Russia denied the existence of this deal. However, the benefits to both Moscow and Damascus from such a deal are unmistakable.
Rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing in 2004 was an extremely significant geopolitical event that went largely unnoticed in the West. In addition to settling long-standing border disputes and deepening commercial ties, Russia and China agreed to hold joint military exercises in 2005. The last joint military exercises conducted by Russia and China occurred in 1958.
Similar to closer relations with Syria and Iran, the newfound friendship between Moscow and Beijing has fostered Russia's sale of sophisticated military equipment to China. Interestingly, relations between Beijing and Tehran have also warmed recently. It appears clear that the Moscow-Beijing-Tehran axis is designed to counter US foreign policy in Eurasia, the Middle East and Asia.
Rather than establishing economic and geopolitical hegemony around the world, the "war on terrorism" is making the US increasingly vulnerable to a sharp economic recession delivered to Washington by Moscow. The Bush administration should consider this when formulating plans to expand US power into Russia's traditional sphere of influence or to undermine Iran's government. Without this consideration, Washington risks an economic war. << |
