Europeans Leaders are redfining their foreign policies

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Spiffor
Souldn't that be "our"? I thought you were a right-winger like Imran

Exactly, a right-winger like Imran.

The 'Poly right has kinda split

[Drake Tungsten]

Imran's not a right-winger anymore than I am...

[Spiffor]

But you are a right-wing lunatic nutjob, while Imran is only a right-wing nutcase

[Ned]

Originally posted by Spiffor

I don't think we are stupid enough to waste money by supplying this resistance. The prospects of the resistance are either to be crushed, or to become one of the many warring factions in an unstable Iraq.

Unless you have a serious source proving we finance the Iraqi resistance, I won't believe it.

(Selling weapons is another matter altogether, as we sell weapons to whomever buys)

From my understanding, the resistance is being financed by Oil-for-Food money deposited outside Iraq. IIRC, most of the money was deposited in French banks.

[pchang]

Originally posted by DanS


In the scheme of things, our direct bilateral relationship is more important than how we relate to each other in these 3rd world hellholes. Consider that each year we do $50 billion in direct business with each other, for instance. It would make more sense to increase this direct business rather than fight over 3rd world scraps.

If France could become an effective counterpole to the US, the basic arithmetic might change. But I think the counterpole option is pretty much a muddled fantasy.

The French will push other things until it actually threatens the direct bilaterial relationship. Until that happens, the French will count on the $50B with the US plus whatever they can get elsewhere at the US's expense.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by pchang


The French will push other things until it actually threatens the direct bilaterial relationship. Until that happens, the French will count on the $50B with the US plus whatever they can get elsewhere at the US's expense.

I assume that the $50B refer to the trade between the US and France, which means roughly $25B of imports and the same amount of exports, and for both countries since the trade is balanced. So, you see that the US benefit as much of the trade than France.

As for whatever France can get elsewhere, since we are in a free trade world, largely promoted by the US, the competition is opened to everybody, including France and the US.

[DanS]

So, you see that the US benefit as much of the trade than France.

Actually, France exports about $10 billion to the US more than it imports.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by DanS


Actually, France exports about $10 billion to the US more than it imports.

Link?