Russia and China are planning to get more involved in the Middle
As it pertains to China, in the below RIA Novosti article we learn that China appears to be posturing somewhat to protect these important Middle East ties. We learn that “trade between China and Arab states totaled $132 billion in 2008, and that China’s influence in the region is continually rising.” Obviously, China will not allow events in the Middle East to unfold in a way that is contrary to its interests. With U.N. veto power, it has the power and ability to upset the kosher apple cart even if only briefly.
“China is likely to develop a growing military presence in the Middle East over the next decade to protect its interests in the region, a British analyst said….”
China currently world’s largest standing army and according to the below Bloomberg article planned to increase its military budget by roughly 15% so that it could compete “for regional influence with the U.S. and Japan.” Despite this increase, China’s military spending would still be 25% to 30% lower than U.S. military spending. But keep in mind, China does not have to wage war against Israel’s enemies and I am confident that will not change. And we should know, waging war against Israel’s enemies is a long-term, expansive, and expensive endeavor. China avoids that extreme liability on its military budget.
More from RIA Novosti article:
“However, he (the British analyst) said the international community is also watching closely what Russia plans to do in the Middle East, as countries in the region still miss the strong role of the Soviet Union.”
So, that takes us to a recent article in Reuters. There we learn that Russia appears to be on the brink of becoming more visible and active in the Middle East, especially the “Smoke and Mirrors” game that is usually dominated by just Israel and the United States. Russia has really been out of the game for twenty years or so. In addition to its U.N. veto power, it already has membership in diplomatic committee with the E.U., the U.N., and the United States.
“Russia on Tuesday said it planned to become more involved in resolving the Middle East conflict along with the European Union and the United States.”
Not only are Russia and China already strategically linked to the Middle East, Iran specifically, they are also already strategically inked to one another. A couple of months ago, Vladimir Putin was quoted in the Chinese press saying, “Russia and China have become genuine and comprehensive strategic and cooperative partners in recent years.” There is also a not-to-distant common history under Communism while the U.S.S.R. was still a powerhouse. Within geographic proximity, even sharing a common border, the geo-political history between these two Asian countries goes back hundreds of years.
China has the largest population in the world, holding roughly 20% of the global population. With that comes a huge energy demand and though China produces enough crude oil to put it in the very top of the top oil producing countries in the world, just behind Iran in fact, it must also rely on imports to satisfy its total demand for crude oil. There is a China-Russia oil pipeline already in the works and China gets much of its current oil imports from the Middle East, particularly Iran. With all the economic sanctions already imposed on Iran from the West, Tehran is happy to export oil to the East, and a very large portion of that goes to China.
When I think rationally about what all of this means to the Middle East game of Smoke and Mirrors, it makes me think that the rules of the game may change somewhat in the future. Israel may not be the only game-changer, rule maker in the future. Sure, I would expect the U.S. taxpayer to keep funding it, I just suspect the U.S. government may find it tougher to facilitate the game from a political perspective.
Think about the role Russia has played in the world within the past century, the global super power that it was and the one that it still is, strengthening more and more all the time. Think about how much China has nearly monopolized certain consumer and electronic markets and how dependent the U.S. is on Chinese products (walk around Wal-Mart for a while if you need a reminder). Think about how much leverage this gives China and Russia on the world stage.
Then think about what vested interest either of these countries, China or Russia, may have with Israel. Israel has no oil to export to China and only creates a barrier to any country that relies on oil imports to satisfy domestic energy demands. Russia can not find much of a market for its military technology in Israel when the U.S. already gives a free supply. Russia can not supplement any nuclear programs in Israel as it is already expected to have the strongest nuclear program in that region, albeit all on the hush-hush and down low. You know, one of those “Open, Public Top Secrets”. Speculate as to how much economic, military, and diplomatic aid either of these countries invest in Israel. Ponder how entrenched the lethal poisons of Hollywood and the controlled mass-media are in these countries.
I am not saying a stronger presence from China or Russia in Middle East affairs is good or bad for the Palestinians or Iran. I suspect it would be better for both. I am just saying the strategic variables could change and with that, so could Israel’s options.
Perhaps waiting on the “Smoke and Mirrors” game to continue, paying handsome dividends to Israel as it does, will yield to a more aggressive Israeli position. Perhaps in the not too distant future, the only option Israel sees available is a military one, using the ample military supply the U.S. has afforded it.
Israel could care less which option it employs. Sure, the military option will be a bit messier for Israel, but as long as it can rely on its democracy prostitutes in the West, you remember, what it likes to call “our friends, the US and other enlightened countries”, a mess can be cleaned up. The military option will just mean more Spielberg movies and controlled-media induced democracy. You know, just to keep all us soft enough to help keep the kosher apple cart on its wheels.
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