User Comments

1. 

   9/08/09

   clioandme

   If there is anything to your story, it would be nothing more than the usual border frictions, not a cause for panic and nuclear war.
   
   It would be easier to engage in a discussion here, however, if you had cited and linked to some independent news sources in your piece.

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2. 

   9/08/09

   libertycast1

   To add...
   
   It is mostly border conflict which could lead to nuclear war, but this isn't developed enough to really be a concern yet.
   
   You have Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds in Iraq. Kurds are primarily in Turkey (which borders Iraq - and note there are some Kurds in Northern Iran but not a significant amount), Saudi Arabia is where the Sunnis come in, and Iran is primarily Shiite (except as noted). All are border threats with Iraq. The real concern here is the cultural dominance in which Iran really has the largest/strongest piece of the pie. If Kurds gained control of Iraq that means theoretically that Turkey would have a much more sizable influence in the Middle East in which total territoy could rival that of Iran. Saudi Arabia could gain similar with the Sunnis gaining control of Iraq, again something Iran is more than likely not to particularly like. Yes Iran is hell bent on the utter destruction of Israel but when you think about the territory influence Iraq will currently be more of a concern for them at the current moment. This is also why Iran is funding the insurgency against the US and primarily funding Shiite militants. Iran wants Iraq, at least in that informal sense. The only way we will see a world war 3 out of there is by the more unlikely use of nuclear weapons or by up to all 4 of those countries waging in an all out war for control of Iraq outright. I don't think any of these countries want to bring themselves forward into the conflict at that level and are attempting to play their cards the best they can behind enemy lines. We'll see how it goes. A world war in this is possible, but it's too early to tell for sure.

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   1. 

      9/08/09

      clioandme

      But the OP was about China and India.
   2. 

      9/08/09

      libertycast1

      I realize that, but I think at this point China and India is irrelevant. China is more concerned with us economically and is doubtful they have the financial stability to push anything against China seriously. India in Iraq would be more feasible though just as unlikely.
3. 

   9/08/09

   mm5434

   Sir, india and China have more than 50 years old issue, one war with china already happened, Now China is entering India, and Writing CHINA with paint on rocks of India, more over Tibet and Sikkim is also a very big conflict with India, For China Tibet is the biggest concern, in last one month china Choppers entered India illegally, now their Army is entering India, and threating local police to leave that place in India.
   
   I think till now India is taking them very smoothly, but it could be a major concern for all world, if war starts in between two Nuclear power Nations.
   
   www.love-4-india.blogspot.com

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   1. 

      9/08/09

      xmarks

      Even if this conflict escalates, I doubt nuclear weapons would be used. If there is a war, it will likely be one of acquisition. There is nothing to acquire if it is blown up. India has more to lose against China and it's nuclear weapons are fewer and have shorter ranges.
   2. 

      9/08/09

      jeremyjanson

      Even if there is a nuclear launch, India does not have enough weapons to do a blanket MAD against all nuclear armed nations and China, since its adversary has no ICBM subs, would know exactly who had launched the weapons and thus have no trouble singling out the country to nuke.
      
      China has barely enough weapons to take out India and maybe two other relatively small countries like Pakistan, UK, France or North Korea, or one medium size country like Iran, Japan or Ukraine.
      
      Further, I doubt Pakistan would feel any need to get involved, as that would only open it up as a target while its adversary would already be thoroughly vanquished.
      
      And I do not believe that any of the other nuclear powers would be foolish enough to launch weapons as well.
      
      Thus, the global destruction that would occur if the US & Russia or France & Russia or UK & Russia or (God forbid) US & UK or France would probably not happen here. Still be tragic, but not as tragic as it could've been. There would at least be someone left to mourn and rebuild.