[sparky]

.
On February 1972 , the world stood amazed when prez Nixon landed in China , shaking hand with Mao Zedong
the first visit by an American president and the all around friendliness toward a recent enemy were called
"the week which changed the world "
Nixon had impeccable credential as an Anti-communist , Mao himself gave this unthinkable policy its blessing

It was Geo-politic at the highest level , the communist block of the Soviet and the People Republic was broken

the rest is history , China grew , the Soviet Union stagnated , the US overcame its difficult national crisis of the 1960ies
besset by a severe budgetary crisis , societal tensions and deplorable international reputation ,
It emerged as the the dominant force of the world stage ,

there is now a faint glimmer of a new reversal of alliance
an US Russia block , leaving China in the cold .

-China is turning into a major competitor for resources and markets ,its world influence throw a shadow over many continents , its military capability is growing much faster than the US ,
tension with the US are many , from trade to contest of zone of influence

- Russia is not competing with the US on trade , at all , its power is not increasing , it is stable .
it is not in competition for resources or markets , it is in fact a market and a supplier of ressources
militarily it is better left alone , poking the bear near its lair is a sure way of getting a growl .

I can appreciate the deep Russophobia of the MSM and Washington deep state ,
but when Russia was an ally , Times made Stalin "the man of the Year" ....twice !

State do not have enemies , they have problems

[sparky]

.
....States do not have enemies , they have problems
It looks like the oil and gas America is fighting a fierce battle against the military-industrial !

in the blue corner ....Boeing , lockheed Martin , the CIA , China and congress !
in the red corner , the prez elect , Exxon , Russia and the FBI

You guys though you had an election , it was a decision on a business model

[ROCKMAN]

sparky - Interesting[/code] thought exercise. Obviously the biggist problem is Putin and how he actsvin other countries like Syria. Seems like the trick would be to dangle a more attractive carrot in front of him then those military adventures. Those cost Putin a lot of capital. Developing fossil fuels make him money. I assume Rex understands exactly what Russia needs to increase that revenue. A revenue source that's currently shifting away from out allies in Europe eastwards toward China.

Lots of different potential scenarios. And none of any certainty.

[Cog]

Before we show the Russians the big board, caution is warranted. The Russians and USA might have things where our interests coincide and we can work together. But as far as trusting them, Trump will find out what every president before him has found out. Russia is not our friend and will stab us in the back whenever the opportunity arises to benefit themselves.

[radon1]

Before we show the Russians the big board, caution is warranted. The Russians and USA might have things where our interests coincide and we can work together. But as far as trusting them, Trump will find out what every president before him has found out. Russia is not our friend and will stab us in the back whenever the opportunity arises to benefit themselves.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Happy New Year!

[KaiserJeep]

Before we show the Russians the big board, caution is warranted. The Russians and USA might have things where our interests coincide and we can work together. But as far as trusting them, Trump will find out what every president before him has found out. Russia is not our friend and will stab us in the back whenever the opportunity arises to benefit themselves.

Winston Churchill said that nations do not have friends, they have interests.

This will help you understand the situation. When Putin and Trump shared a common interest, such as a new luxury hotel in Moscow, they appeared to be friends. When they do not share a common interest, such as when dealing with ISIS, they will appear to be enemies.

Both cases are independent of whatever personal feelings they may have. It is just the way business is done. Only fools would look at the public faces they show the press and draw conclusions. There are many fools in the liberal press.

[ROCKMAN]

Cog - "But as far as trusting them, Trump will find out what every president before him has found out. Russia is not our friend and will stab us in the back whenever the opportunity arises to benefit themselves."

OK then: please list those countries the US could trust to put our political/economic/security interest above there's. LOL.

[Cog]

There are countries whose leadership has went way out on a limb for us in the past at considerable risk themseleves. The list is short. The UK, Australia, Poland, and a few of the eastern European counties after they became part of NATO. The main difference is this. Those countries I listed don't sit around all day trying to figure out ways to screw over the USA.

Russia does act in ways to deliberately mess with the USA. Their support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran is among some of their detrimental actions.

Every country does what they think is best for themselves. However some countries will in fact act in ways that are detrimental to them in the short term, just to have the USA as an ally in the long-term.