quote:

Originally posted by paulmanserUK:
Iraq hardly has a military, all they had was pockets of resistance.

No tank warfare, nothing. If Iraq had nukes they would use them, specially with Sadam in charge.

I agree that it didn't matter that Russia was helping Saddam...(the final outcome was never in doubt)...but just the fact that they were attempting to do...grrrrrr!

Also, do not confuse nukes with WMD...I don't believe anyone said Saddam had "nukes".

China, Russia Lambast Bush Strategy



Russia: Moscow Lashes Out At U.S. National Strategy

(Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; published March 21, 2006)

Russia on Monday lambasted the latest version of the White House's "National Security Strategy," published March 16. In this 49-page foreign-policy blueprint, Washington criticizes Russia's democracy record and warns that U.S.-Russian relations will depend directly on the Kremlin's policies both at home and abroad.


MOSCOW --- The two-paragraph reference to Russia in the U.S. strategy document spells out Washington's concerns over Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to democracy.
It warns Moscow that efforts to prevent democratic progress both in Russia and abroad will hamper relations with neighboring countries, Europe, and the United States. It also cautions that Russia's foreign policy -- specifically in the Middle East and Asia -- will strongly influence bilateral ties with Washington in the future.

“Populist Scorn”

Russia responded by pouring scorn on the document in a tough-worded communique released by the Foreign Ministry on 20 March.

"Should we understand this means that in the immediate future U.S.-Russian relations face far from the best of times?" the statement reads. "One cannot escape the impression that [Washington] is using populist slogans in its own interests."

"No one has, or can have, a monopoly on the interpretation of democracy," the statement continues. "One can contribute to the creation of democracy, but each state must follow its own path toward democracy, as did and does the United States."

The Russian Foreign Ministry also lamented the fact that the strategy report makes no mention of the positive aspects of U.S.-Russian relations.

A Stronger Russia

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst who heads the Institute for Political Studies in Moscow, says the ministry's anger is legitimate. The United States, he says, must learn to accept Russia's growing global clout.

"I think that Russia is trying to protect itself from the U.S. desire to impose its will," Markov said. "The United States needs to learn how to interact with Russia, which is becoming stronger. They are finding this difficult after 10 years when Russia was very weak and agreed with the United States on almost everything. We are open to criticism of the Russian political system, but in the case when the positive aspects are also recognized."

Markov says that Russia is still very much interested in a strategic partnership with the United States, but that Washington must show more respect for Russia's interests in shaping bilateral relations, particularly with former Soviet states.

Worries Over Worsening Ties

Not all, however, share this view in Russia. Viktor Kremenyuk, the deputy director of the U.S.A.-Canada Institute in Moscow, calls the Foreign Ministry's statement "hysterical." He says Russia's reluctance to accept criticism and resolve differences with the United States could have very serious consequences for Russia.

"The trend of worsening relations has been developing for a couple of years. Experts have been writing about it and warning that things could end very badly," Kremenyuk said. He added: "Now is the time to think about how we expect to live longer. The sphere of our confrontation with the United States has moved to the CIS -- to Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. If they [the United States] squeeze us there too, Russia will be isolated. Its only ally will be [Belarusian President Alyaksandr] Lukashenka."

A Middle East Barrier

Despite warm personal relations between Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush, the White House has voiced growing worries about Moscow's efforts to improve its diplomatic standing in the Middle East.

The United States is particularly concerned about Russia's relationship with Iran and its recent overtures to the radical Palestinian group Hamas. But Kremenyuk says Washington is no less worried by what it perceives as Russia's drifting toward a totalitarian state.

"The Americans have sent a signal that they see a threat in Russia's actions. Americans are very careful about what is happening inside Russia. They consider that an undemocratic, totalitarian system is being reestablished in Russia," said Kremenyuk. "This is worrying them, because for Americans, the combination of a police state and nuclear weapons is a totally unacceptable option. They will fight it."

The "National Security Strategy" paper is the latest in a series of U.S. reports sharply criticizing Russian policy. The Council on Foreign Relations, a prestigious think tank based in New York, issued a report on March 5 describing Putin's regime as increasingly authoritarian and urging the White House to stop regarding Russia as a strategic partner.

A few days later, the U.S. State Department in its annual human rights report slammed Russia for backsliding on democracy. (ends)


--------------------------------------


China Dismisses US Criticism of Military, Trade Policies

(Source: Voice of America news; issued March 21, 2006)

BEIJING --- China has rejected a U.S. national security report that criticizes Beijing's military buildup and trade policies. Beijing calls the remarks groundless and irresponsible.

The U.S. report says China's military build-up lacks transparency and criticizes Beijing's trade relations with countries that have poor human-rights records.

China's state media on Monday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang as saying the report was an interference in China's internal affairs, and harmed relations between the two countries. At a Tuesday briefing, Qin dismissed suggestions in the report that China might pose a challenge to U.S. foreign policy.

"China is resolutely following a path to peaceful development," he said. "China has made its due contribution to push forward mutual development of peace and stability in the world."

The White House report, entitled National Security Strategy, was released last week. It says China needs to abandon "old ways of thinking," such as not revealing true military spending.

Official Chinese figures show a double-digit increase in military spending over the past several years. But foreign experts say real military spending could be up to three times as high as the publicly released figures.

The U.S. report also expresses concern about China's trade strategy, saying Beijing is trying to control markets instead of opening them up. The report says Beijing is acting as if it could "lock up" energy supplies around the world. It criticizes China's dealings with governments regardless of how they treat their people or behave internationally.

The Chinese spokesman also rejected a report by a U.N. torture investigator calling for extensive changes to China's police and court systems, in order to reduce what it called the "widespread" use of torture.

The U.N. report urges China to release political prisoners and to eliminate vague offenses such as "subverting state power," which are often used to prosecute political and religious dissidents.

Qin said much of the U.N. report's content was based on facts that had not been verified. He also said it exceeded the scope of the U.N. investigator's authority.

-ends-

My list:
1: United States of American
2: United States of American
3: United States of American
4: United States of American
5: United States of American
6: United States of American
7: United States of American
8: United States of American
9: United States of American
10: United States of American

I think it's pretty clear. Before the iraq war, millions of people around the world went to streets to protest the invasion, and most of them hold a banner says you country are the most terroristic country in the world , and your monkey-like president is the No.1 terrorist in the world......
Fairly enough?

United States American?

BTW...don't bother with that Chiron, it's just passing thru.

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:
Yeah, you're right...and since there is nothing "honorable" about them...I'll bump them up to #10 into a tie with Sudan and Yemen.

Sudan should be number 1

That is the most shady country on this earth. Any country that would shelter a terrorist that directed attacks against america for 5 years, then wipe out hundreds of thousands of people because they don't believe in Islam, is by far got to be the most dangerous country to american interest.

quote:

Originally posted by bostonian314:

Sudan should be number 1

That is the most shady country on this earth. Any country that would shelter a terrorist that directed attacks against america for 5 years, then wipe out hundreds of thousands of people because they don't believe in Islam, is by far got to be the most dangerous country to american interest.

Well, I don't know about #1, but you make some valid points, so I'll move them up a couple of notches...

1. Iran
2. Syria
3. North Korea
4. Saudi Arabia
5. Russia
6. China
7. Venezuela
8. Sudan
9. Myanmar (Burma)
10. Cuba

why the hell is russia still on this list? Is this some sort of ghost you just cant get out of your head? I guess it has to do with decades of brainwashing so you are excused!

1. Iran (they certainly have a big mouth)
2. Syria (agree, but I cant evaluate their position as teror-sponsors)
3. North Korea (will collapse by itself in a decade or two, see GDR)
4. Saudi Arabia (greatest sponsors of the radical islam, but dont blame their government)
5. Russia ( )
6. China ( they are strong and grow even stronger every day, that makes you afraid, thats ok)
7. Venezuela (they dont like you, you dont like them, but they are no threat to the world)
8. Sudan ( agree)
9. Myanmar (Burma) (the nicest people on earth are governed by the most brutal regime)
10. Cuba (a beautyful country, but again people are denied basic human rights! it is ashame you are not allowed to smoke their cigars!

Here is my list my friends!:

1.Iran
2.North Korea
3.China (they're just scary!)
4.Sudan
5.Saudi Arabia
6.Yemen
7.Venezuela
8.Some parts of Lebenon, they have been decent allies for the U.S.
9.Some factions of the Phillipines, they have been great allies with us.
10.Guess I'ma have to go with Cuba.

quote:

read the news or just scroll back thru the posts in this thread if you actually need an explanation as to why they are still one of the Top Evil-doers. Big Hint: selling nuclear and advanced military technology to rogue states. Roll Eyes <-- [Yeah, I can roll my eyes too.]

nah, I understood your reasoning, no doubt about that, but I simply think you put a different weight on the scale whenever russia is concerned!

quote:

nah, I understood your reasoning, no doubt about that, but I simply think you put a different weight on the scale whenever russia is concerned!

You are correct about that...and what would you expect after 50 years of mistrust?

Russia has had its chance to become a good friend to the US, but it has decided that it prefers the company of Iran, Syria and China instead.

They are certainly no ally to the US...(no matter how well Bush and Putin get along on a personal level)...and they actually seem to be behaving like the Cold War is still going on, especially with their dealings in Iran.

1. Iran
2. Syria
3. North Korea
4. Saudi Arabia
5. Russia
6. China
7. Venezuela*
8. Sudan
9. Myanmar (Burma)
10. Cuba*

--------------------------------------


Chavez: Venezuela Ready to Defend Cuba

Saturday, April 22
link

Venezuelans will spill blood to defend Cuba against a possible U.S. invasion, President Hugo Chavez said.

"If the U.S. empire were to invade Cuba, Venezuelan blood would run in the defense of Cuba and its people," Chavez said Friday during a speech to government supporters in Venezuela's capital.

The Venezuelan leader has long claimed that Washington is plotting to overthrow his leftist government - accusations denied by US officials.

He repeated Friday that the U.S. "is preparing an aggression," though it was not clear which country he believed was the target.

1) Iran
2) China
3) North Korea
4) Mexico
5) Saudia Arabia
6) Syria
7) Pakistan
8) Russia
9) Indonesia
10)Palestine

I might move up Mexico since they look poised to inflict the mortal wound that eventually brings down our nation.

Cheney: Putin Restricting Rights in Russia

Thursday, May 4, 2006 9:19 a.m. EDT
link

Vice President Dick Cheney, in remarks that caused a stir in neighboring Russia, accused President Vladimir Putin Thursday of restricting the rights of citizens and said that "no legitimate interest is served" by turning energy resources into implements of blackmail.

"In Russia today, opponents of reform are seeking to reverse the gains of the last decade," Cheney told a conference of Eastern European leaders in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius whose countries once lived under Soviet oppression, and now in Russia's shadow.

Cheney's speech blended praise for the progress Eastern European countries have made toward democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, with an exhortation to continue on the same path.

"The democratic unity of Europe ensures the peace of Europe," he said.

He said Russia has a choice to make when it comes to reform, and said that in many areas, "from religion and the news media to advocacy groups and political parties, the government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of the people."

Other actions "have been counterproductive and could begin to affect relations with other countries," Cheney said, mentioning energy and border issues.

"No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation," he said.

"And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements."

It was among the strongest remarks that any U.S. official has made publicly about Putin's leadership style.

1. Iran
2. North Korea
3. Syria
4. Saudi Arabia
5. Sudan
6. Venezuela
7. Libya
8. Cuba
9. Yemen
10. Serbia

Serbia?

Putin challenges U.S. on human rights

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin challenged the United States on Friday over human rights and NATO expansion but said the two nations are more partners than opponents.

In some of his warmest comments about the United States in months of sliding relations, Putin minimized disagreements between the two powers as "tactical" while asserting "the things that unite us are of a strategic character."

Putin said he was "satisfied with the level and quality" of U.S.-Russian relations.

Well Cuba isn't much of a threat. Castro will die someday and it will be most likely enveloped as a territory.

Russia and China have great potential of being threats... Then again I am sure they are saying the same of us.

Latin America could pose a problem as well as a few Middle Eastern Countries.

quote:

Chavez: Venezuela Ready to Defend Cuba

Saturday, April 22
link

Venezuelans will spill blood to defend Cuba against a possible U.S. invasion, President Hugo Chavez said.

"If the U.S. empire were to invade Cuba, Venezuelan blood would run in the defense of Cuba and its people," Chavez said Friday during a speech to government supporters in Venezuela's capital.

The Venezuelan leader has long claimed that Washington is plotting to overthrow his leftist government - accusations denied by US officials.

He repeated Friday that the U.S. "is preparing an aggression," though it was not clear which country he believed was the target.

Chavez is such an idiot! We could take over all of South America if we wanted to.