[Rainger99]

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.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jimbomaybe

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

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

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

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

Taiwan is about 100 miles from mainland China - a lot closer than Pearl Harbor was to Japan.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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.

I think that some are remembering that History. That's why many are surrendering to the Ukrainians.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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.

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!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by RPDaly

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.

Maybe we should pull back "business-wise".

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by sloanst

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.

Some good points, but the Ukrainian Air Force has had GREAT SUCCESS in coordination with ground-fired missiles that have forced Russia to send in missiles from Belarus and from warships to the south of Ukraine. And forced the Russians to turn to genocide directed at civilian populations by long-range missiles. Russia could (?) lose this war!

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by rainger99

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.

all of the extra warheads russia has merely means they can make the rubble bounce a few times.
However
this throw weight advantage means that serious consideration would be given to decapitation strikes without warning to reduce their effectiveness. Counterforce nuclear strikes including emp blasts and cyber destruction of the command and control authority would happen.
This is why putin is afraid. The military hierarchy and oligarchs surrounding him understand this all too well. That's why you have both sen. Graham and president biden calling for putin's removal. Hopefully someone over there reads the memo.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Byte1

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.

China is overpopulated along its own eastern border. China needs oil and there is likely oil in Siberia. Russian population is concentrated in Russia's western region. So, China looks at Russia's eastern underpopulated area like a starving dog looks at a freshly grilled steak. China would not have to go to war with Russia to get parts of Eastern Russia - they could buy or trade for those parts. Russia will NEED Chinese trade more in the future.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

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!

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

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Byte1

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.

The US has been thanked by President Zelenskyy for training its fighters for years in military formations and strategy. We were thanked for giving big money to the Ukraine to help displaced citizens get to safety. We were thanked for sending everything from weapons to food. We could not send planes, but we sent the next best things........drones and surface to air missiles. As usual we did the most in NATO and we unified NATO like NEVER before!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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

i don't remember the name of the organization. Just how they were ranking countries. And they said that only 25% of world countries were pure democracies and dictatorships and leaning autocratic added up to 75%. And I don't see the UN as some googie man organization. It is very much needed today, to render aid and decide legal disputes.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

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!

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.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by martinse

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.

i googled the word autocratic. Definition is
1. Relating to a ruler who has absolute power.
2.taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions.
So
please explain for us how we are " trending" autocratic .
Specifically.
Who is our ruler?
And
do we not have free elections that respect our collective wishes and opinions.
Ball is in your court.

[MorTech]

I suspect Russia will turn Kiev and Odessa into rubble before this is over and annex the east and south of Ukraine to gain total control of the north Black Sea. Russia and China need each other to survive...and both have nukes. Any China capitulation is just for PR.