Continuation from yesterday…….The major point to take away from our Russia Vs. the USA discussion is as follows. Russia is fed up with the US for a number of reasons. First, the Russian leadership and top military commanders see NATO’s expansion up to the Russian border as a declaration of war. The US meddling in Ukraine, Georgia and even Belarus over the last 5 years is a clear indication of that. Second, the US keeps lecturing Russia on what to do and how to do it. Since no one likes being lectured, Putin is not only fed up with the US foreign policy, he is furious with it. His televised speech on March 18th, 2014 proves that without a shadow of a doubt. Finally, with the US hitting Russia with multiple rounds of sanctions throughout 2014, the Russian leadership, media and population clearly decry such actions as a form of economic warfare. Rightfully so.
When we combine the factors above we can safely conclude that the Cold War 2 is now in full swing. What’s more, we can anticipate Putin to remain in power in Russia for as long as he wants. Therefore, for as long as the US continues with this foreign policy against Russia, a policy that is unlikely to change anytime soon, the US relationship with Russia will continue to deteriorate. So much so that at a certain point it will be too late for either party to prevent the Nuclear World War 3 from happening.
China finds itself in a very similar situation. If you have ever been to China, you very well know that Chinese are very proud people. Just as Americans are. Yet, America cannot help itself but to shove it’s god given “Righteousness”, democracy and politics down the Chinese throats. One thing is certain. This policy infuriates the Chinese to no end. Plus, China sees itself as a rising global superpower who is trying to assert its presence in the region through its military buildup, only to be constantly undermined by the US directly or with the help of Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
While many will argue that China is acting out as a big bully against its less powerful neighbors, and that might very well be the case, one thing is certain. China feels powerful enough to challenge the US directly by suggesting, in no uncertain terms, that the US should get out of the South Pacific region. With the latest threat occurring in May of 2014 when Beijing accused the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel of threats and intimidation. Here is just a brief summary of the conversation.
The US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: “In recent months, China has undertaken destabilizing, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea. The US will not look the other way when fundamental principles of the international order are being challenged”.
The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Chinese Army, Lieutenant-General Wang Guanzhong responded with: “We firmly oppose any nation’s use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert these claims. I felt that Secretary Hagel’s speech is full of hegemonism, threat and intimidation.”
To Be Continued Tomorrow…..(Why Am I Seeing This On A Financial Website?)
