Biggest Threat to the US

I've been giving this a lot of thought. Since the USSR failed, who is our big enemy, that actually posses a threat? Here's what I have:

Russia
Good 'ol Russia has completely turned into a mafia state. Ex-KGB run the country, and the government is overwhelmingly corrupt. Directly fighting us isn't in their best financial interests. They are much more likely to try and extort Europe at this point. I would not consider them a major threat.

China
China isn't a threat for the same reason. Money is more important. They would much rather continue to grow economically then lose tons of money in a war. We may have our ideological difference, but as long as we both like money, we are bed buddies.

North Korea
North Korea is a joke. Its nuclear program sucks and the best missile it's come up with yet (that still doesn't work right) MIGHT be able to get a very small non-nuclear bomb to Alaska. Plus, they are China's bitch. If they fuck with us, the area becomes unstable. Asian markets decline, China loses money. China will remove Kim before that happens.

Iran
A country ruled by a bunch of crazy zealots may seem like a threat, but not to us. Sure, Israel should be worried, but they can handle themselves. Iran doesn't have the technology to hurt us. They couldn't reach us even if they had nukes. Diesel submarines don't have the range. Israel should be worried but we shouldn't.

Somalia/Ethiopia/Ivory Coast/etc
These shit holes can't even feed their own people, let alone attack us. Not an issue.

And now, the biggest real threat currently facing the US:

Japan
Japan scares the shit out of me. Unlike the Germans, who panic and throw people in jail for so much as mentioning Nazis, Japan embraces their WWII history. They edit their crimes out of their history books, deny the rape houses, and still maintain the same "we are better then the rest of Asia" attitude that has led them to invade and destroy at every opportunity for hundreds of years. Now they are looking at becoming a full military power again. Letting Japan have a military is like letting a pit bull thats already mauled three different kids off its leash, because "this time it won't happen". What's worse is that unlike any other "crazy countries" in the world, Japan is smart. They have enough plutonium stockpiled to become huge nuclear power very quickly. They have the rocket technology to hit us, and they have all the manufacturing and materials they need to become a huge threat almost overnight. All they have to do is start. They are currently debating over if they should become a military power again. As a power, would they remain a peaceful ally, or once again start the drums of conquest? Given their current leadership's complete lack of remorse for the past, I would say that latter is likely. The past continually repeats itself, and Japan conquering everything it can is a historically sound possibility.

Message last edited by yesukai on Apr 20th 2007 at 19:02.

I agree with Cray on the question asked; do you need a threat to give you some security in life? You probably have a whole chain of thought behind this threat-reasoning, but the way you've thrown it out here makes it seem as if you just blurted this out; "I've been thinking that we need threats, so here they are!" An additional question; why isn't this in the serious discussion board? Seems more like where it should be?

As for the threats themselves;

Most of the mentioned threats are very political and are (asides extremely boring in their reasoning) usually nothing special to worry about. It's the grey oldies running the countries' way of playing with eachother and, when they're feeling particularly naughty, fumbling. It's when they mobilise their armies that the reasonings (often nothing worth starting a war about) get interesting. And I don't mean that the arguments brought forth are interesting, but the reasoning why those grey retards think they need to kill eachother are interesting. But ah well, I could have a long write-up here, but I'm sure this wouldn't make anyone happy, so I'll quickly summarize the countries mentioned by you below and will give my opinion regarding their threat level.

From Russia, with love
Hrm well, Yesu's definitely right on the whole state of Russia. (Well, at least viewed through what we get to hear from the media.) But Russia messing with Europe? Well, it's definitely an option seeing the soft and fragmented position of the EU. However, if the EU would get their act together (not happening anytime soon, but ah well) then Russia would only burn their fingers. The idea that Russia is a match for any Western country atm is somewhat laughable. Also, I think the most Russia might do is threaten and use relatively mild means of persuasion, seeing as they still sell most of their gas to us. (And they're making big money off it.)

China
Money-wise; what Yesu said. One major thing Yesu forgot though; culture. Chinese culture is honorable and when you dent their honor, I'm pretty sure China won't be afraid to fight a war, even if it ends up weakening their economy. China's smart enough to to let Kim Jong Ill (North-Korea) mess things up for them, but Taiwan? If there's going to be an armed conflict between two (or three!) military superpowers, then it may well be over Taiwan. So what could happen? Well, Taiwan declaring independance and being recognized as independant by the UN and Western countries? Err yeah, you might want to raise your defcon level right about then...

North Korea
They're not going to fight the US on their grounds but then again, I don't think that ever was their intention. If North-Korea is going to fight, then it's going to be over resources. (Which they're seriously lacking right now.) I wouldn't worry about North-Korea starting any offensive right now until they get sufficient resources to do so. Well that and they might attempt to invade the South again, but I only think that might happen if they're threatenend very seriously... (Like, their great dictator finding out that they've truly run out of food, and he's going to be without desert.)

Iran
Hard to tell, but Achjemidad (how-the-feck-DO-you-spell-his-name?) does appear to be a bit of a nutter. Still, can't see him starting an offensive with what he has in material right now. I think his main interest is trying to destabilize the region and to up oil prices and potentially bully Israel a bit. (But not enough to give the Israeli Defence Force a reason to change their name to Israeli Offense Force.)

Some middle- and south-african countries
Seriously, Ivory Coast? I mean like what the fuck? Sure, the brothers Kalou kick a decent ball, but calling them a threat? What are they going to do? A schwable in the US' penalty area, getting an undeserved penalty and winning from the US in the soccer world cup? More seriously; Etheopia and Somalia are more havens for bandits and terrorsist, so in that way it might be of some danger to the US. Though I highly doubt they'll ever make it past US customs, with all the Orwellian security in place.

Japan
Japan wanting a normal army? Well, can't blame them, now can we? And with the rise of China's economy and armed forces and Russia regaining some (epmhasis on some) power, having a powerful ally in that region might be in the best interest of the US. I should also remind you that Germany has had fully functional armed forces for a long time already. Of course, the reason for rearming the Germans at the time was Russia on the other side of the Iron Curtain, but still, if a country that caused one and was heavily involved (being the main enemy) in two world wars, why decline a country involved in only one world war such a right? (Because having decent armed forces to defend one's country is a right wherever you are on this world.) The most bad thing that can indeed be said about Japan is them not showing remorse. Well Japan is just as honorable in culture as China and that's the reason why their governments (multiple, because it's a state-nation, just like the US) don't want to tell of all the shitty things their ancestors have done in the past. Those are hardly honorable, now are they? Of course this isn't good, but their population not showing remorse isn't odd if they're not taught properly about their history, now is it? Besides, don't know if you ever met a Japanese person, but those that I met are very paccifistic. Wouldn't worry about 'em.

The Netherlands
We smoke weed. We do abortions. We do euthanasia (sp?). We are EEEVIIILLL!!! Any proper American citizen watching Fox News should know this! Those Dutchies might be below sea level and might be small but that's just it! Watch out for 'em! They might be building the next Red Army while we're not looking and not expecting! 'Arrrr!!!

Zombies
Now this is the real threat, if you ask me. OK, so they're not, but I'm just getting in the mood for 28 Weeks Later and Planet Terror... That and a virus like avian flue might truly become the biggest killer of this decade..

Ah well...

The Art of War is not to Eliminate one's opponent, but to make peace as quickly as possible...

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Seriously. Japan, enemy of the US? Never. Never ever. You don't know because you haven't been there. The japanese people are not idiots, and they don't want any confrontation with them. People I've talked to have a sort of god-fright for the us, and they have many good relations with them. It is also North Korea's arch enemy, and they would not, EVER, help North Korea this way.

As cray said, you don't need a threat. The threat you have now is invisible. Terrorists sprout here and there. The problem is, the US can't keep their guard up forever, and sooner or later, those guys are gonna hit a weak spot. Might even be a new wtc. *shrug*

But to think the us needs a new "enemy" is preposterous.

"Angels on the sideline, puzzled and amused. Why did Father give these humans free will? Now they're all confused"

Fair enough...

The Art of War is not to Eliminate one's opponent, but to make peace as quickly as possible...

(for those of you being all "you cant be serious!", bingo)

--
Cray

I am not stupid, I'm not expendable, and I'm not going..

Now there there, let's not get smart and intelligent and all that!

The Art of War is not to Eliminate one's opponent, but to make peace as quickly as possible...