Originally Posted by Forrest_Gump

We're already at war, and losing. For some time now China has engaged in open Economic warfare with the US, and due mostly do the US's own citizens (with the help of a few large corporations), we are are losing. When the eventual military confrontation happens, the US will have already lost before the first shot is fired.

There were two generals in the Chinese army that wrote a book a few decades ago about the benefits of conducting an economic war against the US. It's well underway. I will have to find the name of that book. I'll edit this post with a link to it when I find it.

Nachos Grande

The way we lose in the short term is a disruption in our energy supplies. No oil, no natural gas, our economy falls apart very fast.

There were two generals in the Chinese army that wrote a book a few decades ago about the benefits of conducting an economic war against the US. It's well underway. I will have to find the name of that book. I'll edit this post with a link to it when I find it.

I'd appreciate that Nachos. I'm sure that it would be more of an enjoyable read than the RAND studies, white papers, position papers, and on and on that I normaly read while researching.

Every world power and empire in history has declined or disintegrated eventually - I think the USA will be more durable than the others because of its democracy and freedoms, however, the others declined or collapsed because of their social decay from within, and so the USA may one day fall, hundreds of years from now, because it defeated itself from within, begining with moral corruption and civil-war like conditions. I don't think an external power or rival could defeat the USA if by defeat you mean total occupation and control of all 50 states.

Like all world powers before, USA also has some weaknesses!

Just look at its military expenditure! - 400 Billion USD annually.

This is a big strain on economy especially when you are fighting wars. Massive number of troops can be brought-up on the battle-field but they cannot be maintained for long term purposes like occupation!

And if economy becomes weak then US military will also be rendered useless.

IRAQ war is an example. That war is damn expensive and this is one of the reasons that US does not increases the size of its troops there despite of active insurgency!

Not to forget that IRAQ is a crippled nation. Now talk about wars with nations that are much more powerful then IRAQ!

Also, the worldy events actually make-up or break-up a super-power. Soviet Union's break-up is an example of failure in conflicts and lack of resources in controlling massive empire!

US also relies on natural resources and powerful economy for survival. Just drain one thing and US will be history!

Now look at this "War-on-terror". US is not challenged militarily, so its enemies have brought up a different plan to fight it and defeat it. US was attacked and its WTC destroyed. That dragged them in to the lands of its enemies but still the fighting rages even after massive bombardment and expenditure.

Now this new extremist enemy is not clearly known and cannot be easily distinguished and thus continues to pose threat. And it does not runs industries or requires sophisticated weaponry to depend upon. It fights with basic weapons and manages to fight with the Sole Superpower and drain its resources.

Then more nations are becoming Nuclear Powers and this is a next big threat. NK and IRAN are two examples of rogue states (in terms of US!)

Also OIL is becoming expensive and China has initiated its economical war on US by capturing large chunks of market around the globe.

Thus the point is that no nation is in-vincible and same goes for US. One day it will be history like others before it!

Thus even after COLD WAR, new challenges have taken shape and these are no less a burden on US economy!

And if economy becomes weak then US military will also be rendered useless.

IRAQ war is an example. That war is damn expensive and this is one of the reasons that US does not increases the size of its troops there despite of active insurgency!

Thats a nice theory but back it up with something?

Not to forget that IRAQ is a crippled nation. Now talk about wars with nations that are much more powerful then IRAQ!

"crippled" nations are even more capable of fighting guriella wars that "civil" nations.

Thus the point is that no nation is in-vincible and same goes for US. One day it will be history like others before it!

Probally but the US will be the last by defenition "superpower"

Probally but the US will be the last by defenition "superpower"

The Chinese are well on their way to becoming the next world superpower. Their economy will over run the U.S. probablt\y in the next 10-15 years. Maybe even less then that.There are many more world superpowers left to come after the U.S.

Originally Posted by Rabs

Thats a nice theory but back it up with something?

This is not theory!

Strong ecomomy is essential for fighting wars with expensive weaponry!

And if economy is weakened then those expensive weapons will be rusting in the bases.

Take Russia for example!

But still I am not under-estimating US economy.

Originally Posted by Rabs

"crippled" nations are even more capable of fighting guriella wars that "civil" nations.

I agree with this!


US conventional warfare capability is very strong.

But a better armed nation will fight more hard then the Iraqi did!

Originally Posted by Rabs

Probally but the US will be the last by defenition "superpower"

You are wrong here!

World does not ends upon just US.

Their is potential for more Super-powers in the future!

Who knows that Europe might unite as one nation?

Not to forget that China has very bright future!

Or even muslims might rise to power in near future!

Plus! I am not against US but I feel that their should be a balance of power in this world.

The world economy is becomeing way too globalized for any one nation to have unchallenable power.

Anyway as for the Chinese economy overtakeing the US in 10 years, thats not very likely at all even if they maintain there tremendous growth rates. http://bigpicture.typepad.com/commen...on_course.html

http://www.fransgroenendijk.nl/image...s/extragdp.jpg

Very good links, Rabs.