While We Were Sleeping

Oh sure, we nailed them Afghani Talibans and it didn't take long to whip Saddam's army (although the rest of the country is proving troublesome), we're talking tough to Kim Jong Il and letting the Iranians know where they stand.

But wait. What's that flag with the gold stars in a crescent around the large gold star ?

Oh, that would be the People's Republic of China, still the world's most populous country, that has just stopped receiving U.N. food aid for the first time in 26 years; is becoming a real competitor for the world's dwindling energy resources; and is growing its military at a brisk pace. Not long ago they managed to design, build and deploy a new type of submarine so quiet as to be nearly undetectable and therefore a threat to U.S. naval forces operating in Chinese waters. Like defending Taiwan. Did I mention this was a complete surprise to U.S. Intelligence, a phrase quickly becoming an oxymoron ?

So, never mind the small fry. Let's focus on the numerous, well-fed, well armed, forward-thinking and ambitious Chinese. Or maybe just studying the language will do.

Stay Naked.