great, that's just great Steve...the "adults" are in charge now...

do you beleive that we could conceivably see a war between the good ole US of A and members of the Eurpopean Union in the next 10-20 years?
2 years ago that idea would have seemed preposterous to me, but, "thankfully" for the this administration it no longer seems so far fetched...

I really don't like these guys and I don't really think they are furthering our nations well being...

A Russo-French (or Franco-Russian) alliance. Bonaparte is rubbing his tiny little hands in glee. If Germany were to join such an alliance (and it is a long way from reality, let's face it), how do you think the former Warsaw Pact would react? Poland again would be stuck between its two historical enemies ("If Germany and Russia attack Poland at the same time, who does Poland defend against first? Germany. Business before pleasure" -- old Polish joke) and very likely in fear of partitioning again. They would invoke their new friends the USA. Similar ideas in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (who might actually decide to reunite, who knows?) More importantly, Russia would view Poland as being between itself and its new friends in Germany. We've been through this a couple of times before, haven't we?

A united Europe that included Russia and excluded Britain should scare the piss out of any sensible potential opponent.

But, as I said, there are a lot of bridges to mend before that happens. It is worth noting that the Bush policy has made it worthwhile for Russia and Western Europe to look at mending those bridges.

Stephen, you put your finger on the issue: if anyone could have thought that the US created the environment for Russia to work with France and Germany to the exclusion of Britain, you would have thought it impossible just a couple of years ago.

Yes, it is premature at this point, but I think Putin is looking at alliances beyond this as well, all the while telling Bush how much he wants to still be his friend for business reasons.

I think there is a real possibility that China and Pakistan may be looking to an alliance with India of all countries, as evidenced by the friendly overtures between China and Pakistan lately, and between Pakistan and India.

Bush's actions may lead to a number of alliances for us to compete with in this decade.

I was just chatting with a college roommate living in Hong Kong regarding the current state of affairs (He is Chinese). His comment, which greatly surprised me, was a quote from Mao, to the effect that the more messy things got, the more ripe the opportunities. The great sleeping dragon is now awakening, and looking for partners.
With a population far greater than one billion, I don't want to end up on the wrong side of that alliance.