Andy: In other words, ask the Chinese to do what the U.S.
would have at one time done but no longer can do because
we're so tied up in our underwear in Iraq.
Eric: No, the NK regime is a blackmail operation. We should
keep to the six-party talks. If we talk to them ourselves we
have to pay all the blackmail to them. Plus paying the
blackmail didn't work in the past.
Andy: I wonder what would have happened if China had invaded
Iraq instead of us doing it?
Eric: Barnett (sort of) talks about that: since the oil is
for China and India, we could have done the invading part
and China could have done the reconstruction part. Granted
the Chinese would have been a million times more ruthless
than we have been, but maybe just their reputation for
ruthlessness would have stopped the insurgency before it
happened.
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