Should America withdraw from China's six-party talks?
824015
Kind of a mute point when we have been the #1 advocate pushing for 6 party talks for years now...
597541
You need to get out of the support for the Democrats and Republicans. You need to look to parties that are not financially supported by multinational corporations. America has enough people, and enough consumers that it doesn't need to go overseas to manufacture goods cheaper and make bigger profits than ever.
25971
As with much in life, the first matter to explore is who has the desire for global power? This then comes back to the human wants and desires which are then collectively expressed by what can broadly be described by the term " culture". Most cultures (political and religious) are inherently competitive. \nSo how will the US loose its power? By repeating the example of the Roman empire - by becomming fat, lazy and the decay of moral standards. \nWhat can be said about a society where the most visible icons are vacuouse "celebrities" who parade their promiscous sex and drug lifestyles and the masses actually admire them!! It wasnt always so. America became great while it still had moral and ethical belief as its guiding light. \n\nSo the question then can be asked - which cultures exhibit the desire to challenge the prevailing world order?\n China is definitely one of my picks. In recent yrs China has made it very plain that it no longer wishes to be inward-looking but wants to become the dominant power on the planet. As it happens, western liberal politics is actually enabling that to happen as we speak by rampant increasing trade, investment and exporting jobs (ie wealth) from the west to China. Can China supplant the US?  My pick is absolutely and given China's history and cultural outlook on the rest of the world, it would not be a benign power that upheld freedom but a highly controlling one ( such as in Orwell's book "1984"). Consider also the horrors of the "Cultural Revolution". (read book "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang)\nSeeing the growing weakness and decay of the US, China is currently spending up large on military capability that goes way beyond any reasonable defense needs. This already concerns the US and in 5-10yrs could match or even surpass.  \n\nGiven Ive chosen to focus on cultural competition, the other megatrend in  my view is that of Islamization (or Islamo-facism as some have described it). The muslim world view is very disturbing to a western liberal such as myself (read the koran yourself - see link in sources)and the recent aggressive action against western values and societies (from 9/11, to French riots, to Sydney riots etc) is just the tip of the iceberg. With western national identities and cultures being ever more diluted in favour of "multicultural societies" (which include massive Muslim enclaves - in Sydney the Police fear to enter such neighbourhoods), the collective will of these multi-cultural societies to stand against competion from other cultures has been substantially weakened and continues to erode from the inside. You need look no further than the impotence of the French to deal with the riots decisively. \nMuslim nations have chosen non-conventional warfare as they dont have the military capability or the expertise to wage open warefare. But terrorism from without, coupled with substantial populations of Muslims inside western countries (over 2 million in US; over 6 million in France; some 350,000 in/around Sydney)are a threat that the west is still largely  blind to. \nBut is it possible for Islamic nations to become a superpower?  Maybe - all its takes is for the US to become weaker and for a revised definition of what a superpower is. Indonesia (the most populous Muslim country with some 120 mill people has a substantial standing army or close to 200,000) could in theory overrun Australia / New Zealand to start with. While at present Australia has superiority in air and sea capability, the gap is not that great. New Zealand has no air force and tiny navy.   \nAmerica did take up the challenge post 9/11 and the limits of military power have been starkly exposed. \nIs America still the undesputed superpower? No. American economic power is also slipping fast. All hail the WTO and unbridled pursuit of short term, short sighted profit that ignores national interests !
204996
I think thats a great idea.  I would contact someone at the Chinese embassy in Washington DC.\n\nProbably expensive but would be a great setting.
204086
This issue is overblown.  They are not suppressing democracy.  They are following the laws of the land they are operating in.  The are granted permission to operate in China and must follow its laws.  Just if any foreign company was doing business in the US, we would expect them to follow our laws.
433437
No, I foresee no real friendship bestween the U.S. and China. It is NOT in the cards. The friction between the U.S. and China will, in the future, get worse and China will take Taiwan also in the future and that will be the "straw that broke the camel's back".  Even an interpretationo of the bible says that the two countries will never be "friends".
858122
i think we need some one in the middle, We need the agressiveness that we have shown BUT we also need to meet the concerns of other nations aswell. We are not the only ones that are affected. \n\nI think that the democrats will help our war situation on the american level but leave iraq in the toilet. The will fix our foreign relations with europe but we will suffer from china as the Democrats are more prohuman rights and china treats their workers like crap. So less trade out of china means an increase in prices, the price of oil will increase and many of our issues on alternative fuels wont be solved because of all the special intrest groups.\n\nSo I guess we can only wait and see what will happen but those are my predictions.
943445
Might as well Bush double talked that Port deal. Said it was off and a Year later the Same Corporation owns most US shipping.\n\nWe gave China most of Americas homes and land. Credit Card Wallmart debt is secured by peoples house value. China owns the debt China owns the mortgage.\n\nWe should sell the Army while we are at it. All those men in Iraq could drive over to Saudi Arabia and become the Saudi oil security force.\n\nGo big Red Go
693693
China! Japan jointly dev missle defense w/ US, opened embassy in Taiwan, working on treaty to deploy combat forces alongside US in defense of Taiwan. Taiwan just dropped reunification cmte to huge PRC protest. Much more. Recall our lost navy spy plane/crew, Japan just chased a PRC sub out of their waters, PRC def buildup, ROC buyingg subs w/ US foreign aide. Cold war is started & the navy trains for a hot one.
1029548
The answer will be found with the Chinese.  Some would say they are on a course towards war with the "West" right now.  Conspiracy theorist on the wacko right even suggest China is behind al queda so they can learn more about our tactics, weaknesses, etc.  I don't buy that one.  \n\nChina has serious problems providing for its masses; food, water, energy, and oil are serious problems for the country and they may begin to the view the US as an ugly opponent for those things.  "IF" they can turn the US into a 3rd world nation that doesn't compete for resources we'll probably be fine.  If we remain a first world nation that bids higher on oil supplies and charges more for our vast agricultural resources then it could happen.
673526
It's rubbish.  Republicans aren't whacking millions of people like the Nazis did.  The Kyoto protocols didn't treat developing nations the same way as developed nations.  India and China are pumping much more green house gas into the atmosphere than the US, but they wouldn't have to play by the same rules.\n\nIt's generally not a good idea to eliminate people with whom you disagree.  Why not become politically active and promote your own ideas in a peaceful way.
484426
Chief Allies: American Consumers, Iran\nArchenemies: Japan/India\n$50 billion per year of foreign investment, a labor force that survives on $70 a month, has enjoyed a 9% GDP growth for 25 years....all under state controlled pseudo-capitalism, has a spiking fuel addiction, and just inked a $70 billion three-decade natural gas deal with Iran\n\nEconomy: China has an economy so robust that to keep the value of its “Yuan” in check, the People’s Bank of China has been propping up our currency by accumulating American dollars, bonds, and treasuries—about $533 billion at last count.  By keeping the currency undervalued, the Chinese are telling the world, “We can provide you with low-cost goods,” Communism may be nearly dead in all but the name in China, but it survives in the form of one last taboo: the fact that the right of an individual to won agricultural land is tenuous (weak) at best.\n\nProblem: China needs to address the fact that its farmers have missed out on the double-digit growh that has transformed urban China and turned its richest cities into some of the most dynamic in Asia.\n\nProblem: If China decided to drop/dump its dollar reserve on the world currency market, interest rates here could skyrocket, severely damaging our stock and housing markets.  However, that probably won’t happen because China needs American prosperity to continue its growth, and Americans with extra dollars love Chinese imports.  It keeps the Chinese economic juggernaut rolling.
1128071
US doves, led by the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have won the argument in Washington to lead the US in direct talks with Iran, which will agree on a package under which to end its enrichment of uranium. \n\nIn exchange, it will receive a bag of goodies that will include help with civil nuclear power (including a nuclear power station and the fuel to go with it) and trade concessions. \n\nUS hawks in Washington have gone along with the move in the belief that an offer of direct talks now will improve their arguments for military action later. It also helps to keep Russia and China on board. \n\nThe hawks think this initiative will lead nowhere because Iran will not negotiate seriously even if it agrees to talks - and when it all breaks down, they will have been shown to have gone the extra mile. \n\nThey would then press for a mandatory Security Council resolution ordering Iran to suspend enrichment and then, if Russia and China blocked sanctions, they would call for unilateral measures by the US and its allies. \n\nIf that failed, then eventually there would be discussion of a military strike. \n\nStay tuned folks!
125799
Absolutely. The US has already come to the aid of Taiwan when mainland China was threatening Taiwan. In the mid 1990s, China was test firing missiles over Taiwan. The US sent a large naval presence to the area to encourage China to stop firing the missiles over Taiwan ("The Taiwan Strait Crisis").\n\nTraditionally, the US has had a "hands off" policy toward Taiwan. While the US would supply Taiwan with defensive weapons, advisors and soldiers were barred by policy from visiting the country. Since Bush has take office, however, the US is stepping up its presence in Taiwan. Americans are lecturing the Taiwanese military in the classroom and training them in the field.\n\nLastly - and the most compelling reason the US would come to Taiwan's aid - the US is "required by law to provide for Taiwan's defense" under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. Part of the act requires the US to "provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character" and "maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan."\n\nSeveral factors make the Act more relevant today than when it was passed in 1979. In 1979, Taiwan was not the economic powerhouse it is today - neither was mainland China. In 1979, Taiwan had a relatively weak military - as did China. Today, they are relatively strong militarily - as is China. In 1979, Taiwan was not a democracy - it is now. And the US will defend a democratic government against any Communist invasion.\n\nWill the US come to Taiwan's aid in case of invasion by mainland China? Absolutely.
86033
China isn't going to be the "absolute power."  While technologically they are moving quite fast, socially and politically, they are generations behind.  During the 1980s, it was the belief that the Germans and the Japanese would become two of the dominant forces in the world, possibly even passing the US.  But, less than a decade later, both economies were crashing.\n\nI don't think the USA will "crash off" either.  The only way the US would really run into a problem is through isolationism.  I think the idea of countries as superpowers are going to lose their luster since the end of the Cold War.  Instead, it will become consortiums, such as NATO, the EU and OPEC.\n\nAs much as some people would hope the US would dissolve, they don't realize the true potential for it.  We are so invested throughout the world, through economic and social foundations.  The US donates more money to humanitarian causes that anywhere else, and we have the largest economy, both for consumption and production.
655939
The Chinese bought Clinton and several key Republicans. They hold bargining chips such as not invading Taiwan in exchange for access to our markets on top of the outright bribery going on. \n\nChina is no friend of ours. They openly wish to rid the world of the US. What they would do were the US out of the way is quite simply invade a large chunk of Asia. The Chinese can be extremly xnophobic as evidenced by the ethnic purges against Chinese of Vietmese heritage about 20 years ago and what is going on in Nepal today. So life in an occupied nation would be sheer hell for most. The only thing keeping China from doing this is the US. \n\nEconomically China even if kept in check territorially is they will undermine market after market. They will use the Microsoft philosphy and not worry about quality, rather they will flood the market with cheap goods. Kill off the compitition then up the price to the max the market will bear. So nation after nation will see their economies wrecked as China moves into areas they see an opportunity in. Remember China is only a partial capitalist society. It is still heavily guided and controled by the Chinese Gov. So what is good for biz takes a back seat to what is good for China's interest. If a private invester gets out of line China will just lock them up and take the biz away. \n\nEcologically we are priming the world for disaster. China has no concern for the environment. If they take a concern it will be just enough to placate potential customers and all show. The net effect will be especially heavy on Asia as the polution and industrial wastes start to pile up. \n\nThe only good thing happening with the industrialization of China is the standard of living is increasing and the more widespread technlology becomes the better able Democracy advocates are able to operate in China. So there is hope that this industrialization will lead to Democracy in China. Democracy will solve imperialism and ecological issues, or at least tamp them down to something reasonable.
792269
Leaving Iraq would open the door to such evil that you cannot imagine it. What if the terrs get their hands on a nuke? What if they use oil to blackmail the rest of the world? What will be the fate of all the people who supported their first chance at freedom in decades? The Democrats want to cut and run from a fight for our nation's survival. We face an enemy every bit as cruel and evil as the Nazis were in the 1940s. To run from them like little schoolgirls would tell them and all our enemies around the world that we won't fight for our country, our freedom or our future. Don't you think the Communists in China would like to know what kind of stomach we have for staying free? I guarantee you they are watching all of this very closely...