Piping Hot.

With each passing day, the future comes into clearer and clearer focus. This is something of note that I am paying rather close attention to. What are the implifications of an emerging Sino/Russo/Pakistani alliance, and will it last? Historically, ties between Pakistan and China have been relatively close, but only recently has Russia begun to warm up to Pakistan. Why? Just like the U.S., Russia will begin to play both sides of the India/Pakistan rivalry, purely for personal gain. Just like the U.S., Russia and Pakistan plan to to collaborate, amongst other things, on counter-terrorism activities and strategies, while maintining strategic trade relations with India. As a result, weapons deals are being crafted to help Pakistan fight terrorism and stave off internal instability. We have something in common. This dovetails nicely with U.S. interests. Russia also plans to build a 680-mile gas pipeline in Pakistan in 2017, costing an estimated $2.5 billion. In an effort to stave off Iranian competition, the deal is being struck, although it may eventually drive the Chinese further into the arms of the Iranians to meet their growing demands for energy. So, will it last? The answer is "no." In a world where not much seems to last forever, a few things are certain: it will eventually come down to a few blocs versus the rest of the world. -The U.S. and the rest of the Anglophone world. -Russia and its sphere of influence. -Germany and France. While ties between Russia and China/Pakistan will eventually dissolve, in the game of empire, I say "milk 'em for all it's worth." For as long as humanly possible. The future will be quite interesting to mangage, as the U.S. and Russia put aside their differences for the common good. Russia will gradually shift away from its partnerships with Iran and China, and focus more on the Western world as a whole. (The Eurozone as a whole may very well fracture and disintgrate, especially without France and Germany involved.) In the meantime, closer ties with Russia will therefore, by default, necessitate closer ties with Russia's allies, granted we can put aside some of our personal differences. I've often heard of people calling for the dissolution of the U.N. My question is "why?" The permanent members of the security council are the U.S., France, The UK., Russia, and China. If we form a bloc, not a single thing will pass without unanimous consent, and we will run the agenda. Navigating Russia's current ties with Iran will prove challenging, as will China's current exercises in the Pacific. That being said, there is a huge upside here that we should utilize to its fullest potential.