Hi CB, << I don't like the fact that some Chinese are helping arm Iraq and the Taliban>>
I do not either. However, it is a great mistake to treat China as a monolith, with the right part knowing what the wrong part is doing at all times. America ought to engage China as a partner, as opposed to as a competitor, selling weapons to Taiwan, and threatening China with yet another try at encirclement. Diplomacy and geopolitics is a game of give and take, and unfortunately, this is not a game the US is particularly good at. The time to learn is now, at this very moment.
On the subject of Taliban, America armed the Taliban to fight the Russians, and some of the Russians lost their weapons when the Taliban out-fought them. America also asked China, and got to use China’s territory for listening post against the Russians during the Afghan war.
On the subject of Chinese sales to Iraq of communications system, a rogue corporation sold some stuff, and that has been stopped, though some agenda-ed folks in the US are still carrying on as if we are talking about missiles and tanks, which clearly are not true. As for previous sales, they were made at the same time America was selling to Iraq, when the world was afraid of Iran. Remember all the complications?
<<Do you think those weapons can't be used against you, too?>>
Hello, I am not selling anything and I am not in favor of anyone else selling any weapons either. But knowing what you mean, and to answer your question, telephone and communication systems are difficult to use in an offensive capacity, if you are talking about the recent sales. If you are talking about past sales, they were done when the US was selling, and that was commercial competition, for short term advantages.
<<What long term interest of China does it serve?>> None. So why does not America talk to China about it, and help them catch the odd container that leaves China’s busy harbors. It is a bad mistake to think China is actually in control of its companies, harbors and such. China cannot even catch a smuggler responsible for literally billion of dollars of lost tax revenue, and is simply too busy feeding its folks to care much about what is leaving its shores. America has not given China a good reason, either by force or by incentives, to check every container that goes out. Force typically does not work too well in the case of China, thus leaving the obvious big picture options.
Do you know something I do not know about China sales to Iraq and Taliban, because as far as I know, China sold a communication system to Iraq, and the China in question is a company, and further more, that project has been ordered to be stopped, with the folks responsible reprimanded (yes, only slapping of the wrist, because they are powerful people). Whatever the case, we are not talking about missiles being sold to Cuba.
As far as the Taliban is concerned, there is a China-Taliban economic cooperation agreement, but at the same time, China is also supporting the Northern Alliance, an anti-Taliban outfit. These are simply ways to keep tabs on events. It is high time America learn how to keep tab on things, with people on the ground, getting dirty, instead of just relying on satellites.
Chugs, Jay |
