Originally Posted by jimbomaybe (Post 2077032)

China has focused on the western Pacific, it has expanded its navy both quantitatively as well as qualitatively, look for Taiwan to "reunited" with continental China, probable just a walk over because there is no way we could stop it if we tried. China is a hybrid of big business and a totalitarian government , more like the national socialist of the 30-40, make deal with the big businesses and its a done deal

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2077421)

I read that there is a large distance of water between Taiwan and China, which would give some amount of advantage to Taiwan.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2077157)

Putin thought they would just roll over. Did not occur to him that they would fight.

Once upon a time Russian soldiers who did not fight got stood up against a wall and shot. Those days are gone apparently.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2077220)

More and more the rapidly growing Chinese middle class is learning how the rest of the world operates and at some point will not accept the authoritarian rule of the communist party.

Originally Posted by RPDaly (Post 2077269)

Germany had a substantial educated middle class in the 1930's. How did that turn out? Nationalism in Communist China is at an all time high. It was already a major societal force when I started traveling there for business 15 years ago.

Originally Posted by sloanst (Post 2077315)

It wasn't reported in the US, but Russia and China had several border disputes decades ago. Disputes probably isn't the best word. Some were quite large in huge numbers of Chinese soldiers vs Russian military technology. Russia won those disputes resulting in 100's of thousands of dead Chinese soldiers. Russia could defeat Ukraine in a matter of weeks. They have 100's of bombers and could decimate the country from the air. But that would bring a huge outcry from the world so this is a limited engagement. China won't engage Russia militarily in the near future. They have their eyes on Taiwan especially their high tech industries. IMHO.

Originally Posted by rainger99 (Post 2077395)

i don't think nato or the us or china has any interest in a war with
russia.

russia possesses approximately 6,000 nuclear warheads as of 2022—the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world. Nearly half of the world's 12,700 nuclear weapons are owned by russia; by comparison, the united states has about 4000 weapons.

Originally Posted by Byte1 (Post 2077354)

I doubt China is interested in Russia, per se. China has always been interested in Taiwan and taking it back. Until now, we have stood in the way. After seeing how "loyal" we have been to Ukraine, I see China taking back Taiwan with very little resistance from Taiwan and none from us.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2077443)

I wish that was true, but unfortunately, authoritarian regimes are on the INCREASE, not decrease, at this time in History. I too hope that it changes, but things could easily get worse before they get better. A world organization that tracks the direction that various countries are heading, classifies the US as "tending autocratic". Considering how people of our age have grown up patriotically believing and fighting for the US as the leader of free democracies, it is a special insult to our age group to hear that and realize that it is true!

Originally Posted by Byte1 (Post 2077354)

I doubt China is interested in Russia, per se. China has always been interested in Taiwan and taking it back. Until now, we have stood in the way. After seeing how "loyal" we have been to Ukraine, I see China taking back Taiwan with very little resistance from Taiwan and none from us.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2077465)

Who is this world organization? If you say UN will say that is nonsense from a useless organization

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2077443)

A world organization that tracks the direction that various countries are heading, classifies the US as "tending autocratic". Considering how people of our age have grown up patriotically believing and fighting for the US as the leader of free democracies, it is a special insult to our age group to hear that and realize that it is true!

Originally Posted by martinse (Post 2077520)

so glad to see you post this. I thought i was the only one that felt that way. Some of us volunteered to join service during vn, and feel strongly about our country. It is painful to see so many willing to accept that trend.