Rather than the economy and the current BS going on, the election is decided by Iran, Israel, Egypt, China, and Mexico???
What am I talking about?
Well, we got into this over lunch today. The consensus is that China, Iran and Mexico are all waiting until AFTER the elections to make their respective moves… Egypt is moving NOW…
Iran wants to take out Israel (and they want a nuke capability NOW), Egypt is moving weapons, etc. to the border (in contravention of the peace treaty), China has ‘taken’ part of the Spratleys and vowed to push ‘foreigners’ beyond the second island chain; e.g. beyond Guam) and China and Japan are currently at a ‘near war’ footing over occupations of various islands. And Mexico’s ‘new’ (this time around) administration is basically saying it’s going to go back to the old way of dealing with the cartels (e.g. take payoffs and let er rip)…
Romney has already made his position clear, supports Israel, America’s closest ally, and understands they consider their backs to be against the wall. AND he’s indicated he will stand up to the Chinese also. Mexico? Who knows…
Obama doesn’t want to intervene (by releasing the bunker busters), fearing to alienate his muslim allies in the region and the new Egyptian power structure. He agrees with some of the retired Generals that “we” can deal with an Iranian bomb. And he’s already letting China do what they want in SEA. We also know what he’s ‘tried’ through Holder with Fast and Furious.
This article HERE, by Arnaud De Borchgrave (UPI) has more in-depth discussion of the ‘Israel’ situation… And Peter has a great post up HERE. Of note, Israel IS pushing Obama to take a stand and visit Israel, but that just ain’t happening…
Now when you move West, in addition to the Spratleys occupation (with military AND civilians who now say they are the government), and the whole Senkaku situation blowing up yet again, HERE and HERE.
And what are we doing? Nothing, the Fleet has been told to back off…
And Mexico? LL has a great post up HERE detailing what is going on and our response? Nothing, unless you count the Dream Act and free welfare for illegals…
What happens if ANY of these situations blows up prior to the election? Then THAT will become the lead item, and IF the USA (e.g. the current administration) don’t step up and stand up, we think Obama will lose in a landslide.
If Obama gets re-elected, then we think that will be open season for Iran, Egypt, China and Mexico to pretty much do what they want…
Bottom line, this IS the most important election in my lifetime, and probably yours too! Don’t trust the media to give you the straight story, take the time to research the issues and KNOW what the candidates stand for.
Your vote DOES count, and you need to exercise your RIGHTS and vote!!!
Nobody Asked Me…
Veritas nos liberabit
My concerns aren’t how the election will effect foreign affairs, but how foreign affairs may effect the election.
Israel appears to be the hottest, and if they move before November, and Obama takes political advantage of it, it may be an October surprise.
I also wonder how much that governs Israel’s response: That if they move wrong, THEY’ll get four more years of Obama.
UBL said it best – we are a “weak horse” once again. October will be 19 years since Somalia when our actions encouraged him that we were no longer strong enough to pose a threat to his plans. Seems the cycle is ready to repeat itself once again. This time we are financially strapped, wearied by over a decade of continual battle operation and we have the most significant election pending that will ultimately decide whether we become a Marxist/Socialist country or remain a mostly free capitalist one.
Sounds like the perfect time to have a run a us . . . . .
You’re gonna drive yourself mad going down these rabbit holes, NFO.
Don’t just vote but get your friends and family to vote. Living in a “swing” state, I’m doing it whenever the opportunity arises.
The dark time will be between the election and the inauguration.
I just don’t see this contest leaving us all hugging and happy no matter what the results. If there is wide spread discontent, especially if BHO loses and Congress numbers change, then the opportunity to move and not have a cohesive response from the US is pretty great.
Look for something to happen over the Thanksgiving or Christmas to New Year holiday.
Of course I could be full of …..
Gerry
Well, you and I are both old enough to remember all those “Foreign Policy” events that seem to occur around the Presidential Election, so we won’t go down that “Rabbit Hole.”
But I admit that this time is Confusing. Do the Bad Guys wait until AFTER the Election for the Results before they make their move? They KNOW what Obama does. But what about Romney? Do they “Test” him come January? Do they act up if Barry is a Lame Duck between Nov. and Jan.? Does Israel go First BEFORE the Election to “Force” Obama’s Hand? Or do they “Hope for Change” if Romney become POTUS, then go for it knowing Mittens has their back?
Personally, I think China and Mexico are “Lower Priorities” than the Middle East. If those Ayatollahs in Tehran feel like they are Trapped Rats, well let’s just look at how those other “Great Middle eastern Leaders” reacted. You know, Saddam, Khaddaffi, Mubarak, and now Assad in Syria. And the Israelis know it.
Anyway, the next few months will be Tense, so try not to be “Stuck” Overseas, Shipmate.
Concur with you and the comments, above. The Iranians backed off immediately when Reagan was sworn in, but that’s because he already had a reputation for toughness. Romney’s an unknown, to them. Wouldn’t surprise if they act immediately after the election, regardless of the electoral outcome. BHO would have two whole months to dither while the Middle East burns.
Reversing the Obama Years will not be a simple undertaking. American foreign policy is weighted by massive national debt that influences budgets and us to the highest priority items.
But the first thing we do is to initiate that change in direction. The difference in direction in America (collectivism under the glorious ObamaNation or a return to limited government and American ideals in a Romney/Ryan Administration)
Gosh I miss sitting around mulling about the rest of the world, cause that was where the wars would be… but then I had this home and country that would still be safe as long as I took care of what was bubbling out there quick enough… then the ‘anti violence and we can be better than this’ folks showed up to change the Rules of Engagement.
Steve McQueen on Sand Pebbles comes immediately to mind.
Well, if I were to know what the straw is that will break the camel’s back, I could make a lot of money. Instead just get ready to clean up the mess, like teenagers pretending to be experts in drinking, fighting and loving – only making me laugh and still I have to clean up the mess.
You are correct, I wonder what “october surprise” will happen..or worse Obungler loses..but will not step aside..what happens….That is a constitutional crisis and does the senate have the balls to impeach him and remove him? I think not.
Ed- Good point.
eia- Yep!
Andy- Sorry, but it kinda comes with the territory… AND the company I keep…
WSF- Good point!
Gerry- Another possibility, no question!
Les- No question about China and Mexico, but China has the largest impact of the four, due to direct confrontation…
Rev- Yep, a possibility too, along with an Oct ‘surprise’ from Israel.
LL- Concur!
Earl- Yep, it’s NOT what we grew up with/did… sigh
Makes a lot of sense. Just one more reason to borrow a page from the democrat playbook – vote early, and vote often.
Tim- True… sigh
All I can think is “how in the world can you discuss all of this at lunch and not get indigestion?”
Too many what ifs to come up with really good contingencies….I would have a serious headache! I hope you do silly lunch conversations at least once in a while! 🙂
Reelect Obozo Good Bye America
Crap. I was reading through comments and caught where East IA said it’s been 19 years since Somalia.
I thought, “No way, it was just a few years ago.”
Man, I feel old now.
Joey- Occasionally… 🙂
Rick- Yep, agreed!
MSgt- Tell me! I RETIRED the first time in 1992!!!
I’ve never been this concerned for our future and I’ve been voting for 30 years.