Re: Liu on Iraq, Iran, Japan and the USA

["Gary Santos" <evs@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would think that the motives pointed out so far are not mutually
exclusive -- control over Iraq oil, maintenance of a hegemony, political
landscaping. They can all be the proverbial birds hit by one stone. If you
do not discount the gold bugs' story and the quiet moves made on alternative
currencies, add the weakness of the US external position, add the state of
the capital markets, add the prospects of an incipient deflation and the
pronounced Fed solution and, let us not forget, Muslim extremism -- all can
be wrapped up into one neat, tumultous scenario, enough to convince a
President that a war is the most expedient solution. On top of that, we are
blessed/cursed with an incumbent President with enough personal pride to
match that of Saddam's.

As for Venezuela, given the above, it just doesn't enter the equation.

And, as for China and its future, that is a whole new topic. It's communist
Keynesian facade, in my opinion, merely hides an oligarchy that can
disintegrate into many states given economic and/or political shocks.




----- Original Message -----
From: "John Gelles" <johng@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pkt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Henry Liu" <hliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Cyberspace Society"
<Cyber-Soc@xxxxxxxxxx>; "John Gelles" <johng@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 12:50 PM
Subject: Liu on Iraq, Iran, Japan and the USA


> Henry Liu cautions that the US war on Iraq will help Japan
> with oil but inflict pain on the USA via terrorists born in its
> wake.
>
> Henry appears to believe that some form of Arab secular
> nationalism could end up as Middle East communism -- if
> only the US would make war on Iran instead of Iraq.
>
> Henry does not see a triumph for democracy in this region
> -- now in America's sights as ripe for democratic reform.
>
> Perhaps the Bush-Cheney-Rumsford team, and the advice
> of Pearl and Wolfowitz, will not bring democracy or optimal
> oil prices. But these American gentlemen claim only that
> they will bring greater security to all democracies, especially
> America, than any alternative team or advice.
>
> The advice of Liu, Chomsky, and academics in many places
> is noted. It is not selling in Russia, Japan, China or India.
> It is too light in its respect for the genuine dangers of a
> Middle East turning oil money into weapons in the hands
> of America haters.
>
> Russia knows the cost of Muslim weapons and hate, as
> does India and China. Japan is not interested in promoting
> the likes of Sadam or any other cult of weird ambition and
> hate.
>
> So, like it or not, Henry, Fukuyama is basically right.
> We are coming to the end of history -- and China may
> lead the way. Your interesting stories on Chinese
> Keynesian spending and lending may foretell the future.
> Your Chomsky nightmares do not.
>
> John Gelles
>
>
>
>