Am´s opinion is probably more meaningful than mine but I suspect the situation in Ukraine ups the ante in Iraq in terms of the big picture. And I think the effect is multiplicative not additive. If things escalate to a much higher level or there is an election in Iraq it will stink so badly of fraud that it will make it harder for the west to put pressure on Putin both militarily and diplomatically. I still wish I knew what China would do if there is military confrontation between the west and Moscow/Kuchmas´s thugs. I think the Eu thugs would back down from a military confrontation and hit Moscow in the pocket book as best they could. Hard for me to know what Bush will do. So far he has been really brave picking on a country with 1/1oo the military might we have. Confronting a nuklur power is a whole different ball of wax. I can imagine him and daffy duck raising their sabres and screaming in unison "BRING IT ON!"
I could also easily imagine him just dropping the whole issue and saying DUh..I just dont think about it anymore, the same thing he said about Osama.
I agree with Am if Moscow lets the whole of the Ukraine fall into the hands of the western thugs it very well may mean the unravelling of what remains of Moscows empire. I wont be surprised to see heavy arms supplied to the Iraq resistance by Moscow and an invasion of Georgia and Ukraine if Bush opts for a straight ahead military confrontation.
If such a thing happens can you imagine China not making some kind of move on Taiwain or Korea? Amazing how the supposed pro war, pro democracy folks are remaining silent on us giving up on Taiwain. I saw Powells One China statement an incredible sign of weakness on the part of the U.S. Actually sign of weakness is not really sufficient. How bout throwing in the towel? The thugs in Washington are starting to sing a different tune as far as China goes.
POG still moving up in an orderly fashion so I dont think there is going to any major escalation next week.... Tic,tic,tic,tic,,,,
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