Now that we have a new thread, in order to ensure that this thread continues to meet TL standards and follows the proper guidelines, we will be enforcing the rules in the OP more strictly. Be sure to give them a complete and thorough read before posting!
NOTE: When providing a source, please provide a very brief summary on what it's about and what purpose it adds to the discussion. The supporting statement should clearly explain why the subject is relevant and needs to be discussed. Please follow this rule especially for tweets.
Your supporting statement should always come BEFORE you provide the source.
On March 12 2019 03:23 xDaunt wrote: Rather than tell BSword what you think he means by "isolationism," why not ask him for policy specifics? Let's take the Western Pacific theater as an example, where we have multiple defense agreements with nations over there. Let's say China attacks Japan. Is it in America's interest to come to Japan's defense? How about South Korea? How about Taiwan? The Philippines? When you factor in the ease with which China would roll over some of those countries, it really begs the question of why it is in the interest of the US taxpayer to fund and guarantee the defense of some of those countries. It's one thing to make those types of defense agreements in a unipolar or even bipolar world. We're long past that that now.
It’s in America’s interests to not have Japan and China engage in an arms race, certainly. Japan could easily nuclearize and create a sufficient defence capability to defend its interests but following WW2 we all decided we felt more comfortable if Japan chilled the fuck out. The United States has received huge economic dividends from stability in the Far East.
Japan is easy enough to justify. How about Taiwan or the Philippines?
Taiwan is an American proxy off the coast of China. It is to China what Cuba was to America during the Cold War. Think of it like an aircraft carrier that can’t be sunk.
Philippines had strategic importance for control over trade in the area. That’s why America was able to strangle Japan in the run up to Pearl Harbor.
Philippines has some strategic importance given its proximity to major shipping lanes. It is also defensible.
Take all the stuff you don't like about videogames and do that exclusively, and you probably have wargaming at the pentagon. As a side note, I can see the Pentagon from outside my window right now as I type this.
On March 12 2019 12:59 Mohdoo wrote: I wish more than anything I could have a career in military intelligence doing wargames. It is honestly my dream job.
Given this is a starcraft forum, I find this wholly unsurprising.
I feel like the whole Huawei situation has been completely under reported. It feels like something that should be more important, but I can't seem to find comprehensive reporting on the subject.
On March 12 2019 23:51 Vivax wrote: I've spotted a really weird article today. Weird as in, worrisome. It is subscription locked, but I'll put the source here for the sake of having one.
What is it about the clinch US&Canada with Huawei? Why is the US blackmailing Germany to work against Chinese internet like this?
The basic idea is that whoever supplies the infrastructure to build the 5G cellular networks probably has the ability to spy on a lot of things, and could even build in the possibility to just shut the system down. It is kinda scary to give a chinese company that ability, as they are very, very linked with the chinese government. However, Huawei offers (by far) the cheapest deal on this stuff.
The nightmare scenario is the chinese government being able to listen in into everything happening via those networks (which will probably be most of the communication within the country in a bit), and to be able to threaten to shut the system down remotely.
It seems to be very hard to proof that a 5G infrastructure device that you built can not be used to spy.
The US obviously wants other countries to let (US-based) Cisco build that infrastructure. On the surface, because they don't want the chinese being able to spy on everyone, but i think the ability to use that infrastructure to spy on everyone themselves might also be on the US governments mind.
In my opinion, the best solution for europe would be to use european companies to build this stuff, but that is sadly a lot more expensive. But building up that competence in the EU seems very valuable. And while i am a bit more comfortable to have the US spy on us rather than China, i would still prefer if none of them did.
From what i can tell it just seems to be another US Powerplay, it feels pretty similar to the situation with the new pipeline from Russia to Germany or even the Iran deal.
In my opinion, the best solution for europe would be to use european companies to build this stuff, but that is sadly a lot more expensive. But building up that competence in the EU seems very valuable. And while i am a bit more comfortable to have the US spy on us rather than China, i would still prefer if none of them did.
I will pay more money to keep the spying on my local. At least if my rights are violated, I have some recourse. I got no power of some company in China.
On March 12 2019 12:59 Mohdoo wrote: I wish more than anything I could have a career in military intelligence doing wargames. It is honestly my dream job.
Given this is a starcraft forum, I find this wholly unsurprising.
the first job requirement is that you’ve actually been a soldier in a war
Saving Saddam Hussein from its war with Iran (in which Iraq was actually the aggressor)
Sending the 7th fleet to intimidate India when it was wiping the floor with Pakistan in one of their wars
Just to clarify some facts and to confirm why these specific acts WERE in the US's interests.
RAW is the Indian Spy agency, the Pakistani Spy Agency is the ISI.
1)If you are referring to the Afghan war, the US did not train amuch, they funded and proliferated the ISI+ Show Spoiler +
(who then trained the Mujahdeen, which people call "Jihadist" which isnt a word btw)
and funded and supported a dictator who had jail and hung a sitting democratically elected PM+ Show Spoiler +
(something they do alot, it was completely in their interests to do so. They shouldnt have, but to say it was not in their interest is incorrect)
atleast in the short term because the Mujahideen that later turned into the Taliban and these little terror networks that operating Kashmir and cross border between Pakistan and Afghanistan are all remnants of that period, so it didnt turn out that well for people in the region, but fuck if the US had any fallout, they just up and left with the USSR Fell apart.
2)They baited Saddam into the war in the first place because they were salty that their puppet got removed in Iran. Not to say he wouldnt have done it anyway, but he wouldve certainly though about it twice. The American two pillars of Iran and Saudi going down to just one Pillar didnt sell with the US. Again it was within their interest to have someone fuck with Iran so they supported him.
3)Sending their battleships was also in American interests at the time. if Pakistan got wiped out, and that was quite likely. The Soviets would have had the same free reign they were looking for later through Afghanistan.
Also note regarding that "War" which was mostly an asswhooping. The fact that Bangladesh happened was West Pakistans complete failure at nation building and equal representation. the Bengalis were treated terribly and their outrage was completely justified. For India attacking a country in the middle of a civil war thats barely got any resources to begin and 2000+ Km of India sitting in the middle is candy from a baby. It was practically cleanup duty. Bangladesh happening was inevitable and it was deserved, Pakistan should forever be apologizing for their role in thatl. Naturally thats not the narrative that is common there. But for what its worth I do atleast.
Saving Saddam Hussein from its war with Iran (in which Iraq was actually the aggressor)
Sending the 7th fleet to intimidate India when it was wiping the floor with Pakistan in one of their wars
Just to clarify some facts and to confirm why these specific acts WERE in the US's interests.
RAW is the Indian Spy agency, the Pakistani Spy Agency is the ISI.
1)If you are referring to the Afghan war, the US did not train amuch, they funded and proliferated the ISI+ Show Spoiler +
(who then trained the Mujahdeen, which people call "Jihadist" which isnt a word btw)
and funded and supported a dictator who had jail and hung a sitting democratically elected PM+ Show Spoiler +
(something they do alot, it was completely in their interests to do so. They shouldnt have, but to say it was not in their interest is incorrect)
atleast in the short term because the Mujahideen that later turned into the Taliban and these little terror networks that operating Kashmir and cross border between Pakistan and Afghanistan are all remnants of that period, so it didnt turn out that well for people in the region, but fuck if the US had any fallout, they just up and left with the USSR Fell apart.
2)They baited Saddam into the war in the first place because they were salty that their puppet got removed in Iran. Not to say he wouldnt have done it anyway, but he wouldve certainly though about it twice. The American two pillars of Iran and Saudi going down to just one Pillar didnt sell with the US. Again it was within their interest to have someone fuck with Iran so they supported him.
3)Sending their battleships was also in American interests at the time. if Pakistan got wiped out, and that was quite likely. The Soviets would have had the same free reign they were looking for later through Afghanistan.
Also note regarding that "War" which was mostly an asswhooping. The fact that Bangladesh happened was West Pakistans complete failure at nation building and equal representation. the Bengalis were treated terribly and their outrage was completely justified. For India attacking a country in the middle of a civil war thats barely got any resources to begin and 2000+ Km of India sitting in the middle is candy from a baby. It was practically cleanup duty. Bangladesh happening was inevitable and it was deserved, Pakistan should forever be apologizing for their role in thatl. Naturally thats not the narrative that is common there. But for what its worth I do atleast.
I have a tough time taking points 2 and 3 seriously. I find "They baited Saddam into the war" to be hard work, that's a hell of a summary of the situation, and I really dont think Pakistan was ever at risk of being "wiped out". Where are we going with this post?
On March 12 2019 23:51 Vivax wrote: I've spotted a really weird article today. Weird as in, worrisome. It is subscription locked, but I'll put the source here for the sake of having one.
My understanding is that simply by having control over the equipment, there are some very basic approaches that can be used to monitor data. That and the fact that the code for these devices is probably amazingly complex and easy to hide things in. Overall, the entire idea of having Huawei make our 5G is absolute madness. That is a national security risk. Under no circumstances should the Chinese government make our communications networks. The internet is the core lifeblood of humanity at this point. China should have nothing to do with ours.
It is important that this conversation be framed in the context that Huawei is 100% under the thumb under the Chinese government. There is not a single thing the Chinese government could request that Huawei would not comply with.
Now think to yourself: What would China gain by making our 5G networks?
Also keep in mind: Every major tech company does not allow their employees to bring their work laptops to China. I have heard of numerous companies giving employees laptops to unpack when they get to China, use while in China, then leave it in China, because nothing can be trusted and it is assumed they can get into your laptop while you are using their infrastructure.
The transcripts were leaked in January, and AFAIK no one made a big deal about it being "times up" for Mueller. And somehow I doubt xDaunt has actually read through all 360 pages to make that particular conclusion.
EPT
