Russia

[GDL]

do you mean a Czar?and Czarina?

[ApologeticChrist]

Different spelling, same thing. Russian alphabet is different from ours.

-R. S. of UC

[GDL]

really?YOu can tell foreign languages aren't my forte'.That's why I get C's in spanish.HA!!! ;D

[Armany]

AC, I disagree with you on most of your points about foreign affairs. Your points about China and Cuba are very insightful, but I still disagree.

First, China poses a military threat because of its growing economic prowess and its seeming monopoly on American goods. With the bargaining chips that they have with our retailers and ultimately the economy, they can slowly build up their active military. Granted, that military would be very poorly trained and their few nuclear weapons are medium range and unreliable, but if they team up with Russia, as they seem to be doing now, then they'll get better in those areas.

You're kind of right on Cuba, although I don't like the idea of an authoritarian state living 50 miles south of us.

Russia, if any indications are correct, would go back to a communist state, according to a poll of Russian citizens in the '90's or early 2000's. Putin is already instituting policies that would have him appointing members of the Duma, Russia's parliamentary body, as well as some other positions. He is also ex-KGB, which poses some questions about his background and beliefs. With Russia's military, which is second only to ours, I think that they could economically survive w/o EU/UN help, pending on relations with Communist China and others.

And, finally, Ukraine is more important as a US-sympathetic state than most realize. Yuschenko is pro-Western, and he's better in the position of leadership in Russia's traditional friendly neighbor than the Putin-backed Yanukovych.

[GDL]

I think that we need to keep an eye on all of the, and that none of them are really safe to be near.Cuba I think after Fidel dies will need help from the U.N. and the U.S.A. but who knows.Sadly Russia and China would be an excelent team wich would be bad news for us.

[ApologeticChrist]

Just a thought. Let's say that the potential military size of China could be 89 million (a figure I hear bounced around when people discuss nuclear war as a possibility between us). In order to get that many soldiers to our boarders would require either tens of thousands of planes or over a thousand LARGE ships. I think we would see it coming. Also, of the around 400 nuclear weapons in China, most are aimed at India as required by it's treaty with Pakistan. Their range would make it possible to hit places like Hawaii and Alaska, so I still am not too worried about potential invasion.

I will however say that the Chinese military is decently trained. Certainly not at a calibur of England or the US, but not to be trifled with.

As for an alliance with Russia, I simply cannot see it. Such an alliance once existed between the two nations, but it split in the late 60's. Idealogically, the two nations are nearly completely different. Neither is looking for conquest right now either (in my opinion). Putin is too busy trying to "organize" Russia to deal with any unpopular wars. Even dealing with Chechnia is difficult for him to do without losing popular appeal. China is too worried about popular sanctions to go to war anywhere. Only if a nation can develope a reasonable defense against nuclear weapons will they go to war with one of the world powers. This is an obvious military fact of today's world.

If you're worried about Cuba's government, I'd take a firmer look at Nicaragua, Guatamala, El Salvador, Honduras or Haiti. Nearly as close and even more so oppressed, not to mention the major poverty.

I am by no means pro-Putin, but there would have to be serious purges before any kind of Soviet-like state could be put back into power in order to get rid of all of the pro-democratic/pro-capitalist people. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm saying it'd be really obvious and difficult to do.

As for the Ukraine, as long as they aren't oppressed, I don't care if they are pro-West or East. We don't need to have a hegemon of nations under us at all times. We've oppressed democracy for that reason for over 50 years, and we shouldn't let ourselves continue in it.

-R. S. of UC

[Armany]

On Ukraine, with everyone obsessed with having the approval of the "international community" to do anyhting, it would be nice to have them in our camp. They actually already are, with their token force of 1,300 in Iraq. But, they still are an informal ally that is close to Russia, so that if push came to shove, we'd have a bridgehead in the Russians' backyard.

On Cuba, yes, there are many other junta-ruled Latin American nations that are the same as Cuba. Good point.

On China and Russia, such an alliance is possible, because just last week, the Chinese and Russian militaries agreed to cooperate in military training. This could be signs of things to come. Also, China's nukes are, from what I've read, just medium range affairs, but with an assumed alliance with Russia, they could couple those warheads with long-range missiles or ICBM's, and there you go, we're in a precarious postion.

I admittedly have not read much on Chinese ground force military units, so I may have made a premature statement when I said that they were "poorly trained." However, I do read about military aircraft, and China doesn't pose a threat qualitatively in that area. They just have old Soviet MiG's and other inferior units. Their advantage against nations that don't have good air forces (on par with us) is in quantity. I'm not saying that Russia's AF is bad, but China has just got a bunch of hand-me-downs from Communist Russia. Nothing to worry about there, especially with the advent of our F/A-22 'Raptors', which are simply dominant and without equal in the skies. But, I digress from my main point.

Putin will probably be in power for a long time; that is, if he gets his "reforms" passed. I'd get used to that communist being in power.

[GDL]

does anyone know who's the president of Iraq?

[ApologeticChrist]

You're right, the military training does sound a bit suspicious of some kind of alliance, despite their histories. France and England have been doing the same thing since the turn of the century and have only been able to do so due to their close alliance.

As for the Ukraine, I think you're all really obsessed with a war that can't come. If you see any history of the lowland region (from the Rhine to the Urals), keeping any kind of territory there is nearly impossible. There are next to no natural barriers and the Ukraine would be run over in about four days, regardless of their political alliance.

I personally don't care about international approval as the vast majority of the UN has no interest in pursuing any kind of "policing" unless they are the US, Britain and Japan. Spain, France, Germany, Russia, China and scads of other nations have generally contributed next to nothing as far as these efforts go, though I will admit that Spain had been doing well with that until lately.

-R. S. of UC

[Triphus (Titanian)]

GDL: I guess we aren't supposed to know yet, but my school gets some people from high places to speak during chapel. For example our bible teacher is Madeline Mimms, but anyway...

The president of Iraq is a great guy that has already put money into rebuilding all of the churches Saddam broke down. He also stated that he would try his hardest to put more into rebuilding Iraq than Saddam destroyed it. Also his prime advisor is Christian!

The man who relayed all this information and an interview with the new pres. is Terry Law. He is a very amazing Christian who has spent his life carrying Bibles and drugs into Iraq and is friends with the new President.

[Armany]

Actually, Lithuania and Poland did estabish some quite impressive empires in the region just east of the Elbe River and just west of the Russian Pripet Marshes. This was during the Middle Ages, though. Also, Kievan Rus was one of the first dominant Russian states, but that was back in the, what, 1200's?

Yes, the Ukraine is not sitting in the best position in the world, except for the fact that it has the Black Sea to its south. Still, it's nice to have a friend in the region.

And, neither do I care about international approval. If you look at the thread on the UN, you'll see that I really don't like the organization. I don't like the European Union either. Too globalistic and too one-worldy for me.

[GDL]

Our allie the U.K. isn't in the European union is it?

[Armany]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it is, although reluctantly.

[GDL]

Are you sure because I thought that they also thought it was corrupt.

[Armany]

I'm pretty sure, GDL. Prove me wrong, though.

[GDL]

I'll try! ;D

[GDL]

you were right I was wrong sorry!!!!

[ApologeticChrist]

I'll admit, it is REALLY nice to have allies and lots of them. However, you do kind of have to fall back on people who will reasonably support you. If the US were actually attacked in a war, I think you could get Canada, Japan, Israel and the U.K. as major supporters of help, but I don't honestly see it happening. We're just in too good of a position geopolitically.

I will also have to admit that allies aren't everything. Being allied with China for example would kind of be like promising our souls to the Devil.

Regardless, if Putin backs down, I think that Russia could become an ally in the future. Maybe even in the next 10 years if we get a new administration.

-R. S. of UC

[Armany]

Yes, that's possible, IF Putin backs down. BTW, what do you guys think about the Ezekiel 38 prophecies about a couple of nations attacking Israel in the latter days. There's a debate as to whether such nations as "Rosh" and "Gog and Magog" are signifying Russia. Personally, I'm leaning towards that interpretation, but if you've never heard of it, read Ezekiel chapter 38 and see for yourself!

[Chocolate Bar]

Armany said:

Yes, that's possible, IF Putin backs down. BTW, what do you guys think about the Ezekiel 38 prophecies about a couple of nations attacking Israel in the latter days. There's a debate as to whether such nations as "Rosh" and "Gog and Magog" are signifying Russia. Personally, I'm leaning towards that interpretation, but if you've never heard of it, read Ezekiel chapter 38 and see for yourself!

I don't agree Armany. Many of you probally relate Rosh and Russia but Rosh is Hebrew for chief or head so it could be interpreted as "the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal" also Gog is used to refer to a person or title. not a nation

[GDL]

like the anti-christ right?

[Armany]

What was that, GDL?

Siko Michael, I have not read a whole lot on this, but listening to a John Hagee message months ago rekindled my interest in it. I'll try to educate myself on it more and get back with a rebuttal or whatever. ;D

What does everyone else think?

[GDL]

You don't know what the Antichrist is?

[Armany]

Yes, I know what it is, but I was asking what you were referring to as the Antichrist.

[GDL]

You said that it is refering to a person or title.Well in the book of revulations it says that he will come into power before the rapture of the church but not as what we can see evil until after the rapture of the church.