[Puke]

old, yes. stable, fairly. factious, definitly. more stable than the US? probably.

Industrialized China a scary idea to the entire western world? better be! they're still miffed about losing the Opium War, you think its going to be a small world after all? I don't...

but i digress. we cant all be happy and hold hands in a peacefull and diplomatic world. too many people stand to make money at the expense of others, and there are just as many of them on either side of the pond. different wars are profitable to different folks. when you dont stand to gain much from one, you are peacefull and diplomatic and the other guy is a warmonger. now, the average US citizen isnt gaining anything from the current conflicts, but they sure eat up the propoganda from the folks that are.

and whats up with the thread-jacking! less political rhetoric! more super-weapon rhetoric! has everybody seen the new aluminum high speed catamaran that the US Navy is testing out?