Shang Hai Co Op

In the brand spanking new (if tiny tiny size wise - almost like a de luxe Golden Book) Dr Robert Kagan's essential "Return of History" prophesies

"The future internat'l order will be shaped by those who have the power and the
collective will to shape it. "

The quiz is

"...whether the world's democracies will again arise to that challenge."

Aside from another poster for the 'Concert of Hot!Democrazies" there is also a flip side - a counter coalition.



In this alternate universe a League of Failed States would be too chaotic to organize and effectively act out to promote and project failure in an entente' of sorts and probably never would.


Autocratic societies and faux democracies of former collectivist wanna be hegemons would buddy up to prevent the spread of democracy into their ranks, protect vital logistics like oil and man up military wise to back up any power proliferation.


Isolation is a real concern. Former Warsaw Pact Europa increasingly realigns with Great Satan and her semi homies like NATO and Japan presents a terrible problem to unfree regimes like China and Russia especially in the hood.

"Interestingly, Japan's activities in Central Asia reveal a subtle foreign
policy that is able to accommodate both Eastern and Western value systems. In
the eyes of the Central Asian regimes, Japan has come to represent a viable
Asian role model and partner for their modernization program.

For the West, Japan has come to represent their liberal-democratic values,
as opposed to China and Russia who insist on an indigenous -- and usually
authoritarian -- approach toward government. While the Central Asian regimes and
the West may not see eye-to-eye on a range of issues, both nevertheless
recognize Japan's contribution to the region especially because of Japan's
potential to counter-balance Russian and Chinese influence in Central Asia.

Russia's recent trek to China to sign on to a new despots R us or United Tyrannies is called the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Vlad's handpicked semi faux successor Pres Dmitry laughed off concerns by legit govs

"Perhaps such strategic cooperation between our countries does not please
everyone, but we understand that interaction is in the interests of our nations,
and we will strengthen it in all possible ways - whether people like it or not."

Russia's state ran press defined the 'Strategic cooperation' as more like a bloc.

"The SCO, a regional bloc comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, primarily addresses security issues, but has
recently moved to embrace various economic and social projects. The SCO has
been widely seen as a counterweight to NATO in the region."

Last year at SCO's 1st ever military exercise Russia's FM Ivanov announced

"The next logical thing on the path of reinforcing international security may be
to develop a cooperation mechanism between NATO and CSTO, followed by a clear
division of spheres of responsibility. This approach offers the prospect of
enabling us to possess sufficiently reliable and effective leverage for taking
joint action in crisis situations in various regions of the world."

Making sure no one misses the point this year- Russia sorteed her new 'Carrier Killer' out of Vladivostok for a PacRim exercise of her own. Captain Roman Martov explained that Varyag, the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet packed a serious sting

"The cruiser is equipped with a powerful array of missile systems, torpedoes and
artillery systems," Martov said, adding that NATO experts had dubbed Russian
combat ships of this Slavka class "the killer of aircraft carriers," as it can
carry 1,000kg of high-explosives, or a tactical nuclear warhead out to a range
of 300 nautical miles.

The gravity that SCO projects draws other unfree regimes in to orbit - Like Iran's state ran site claims China and Russia have supported Iran's permanent membership in the organization.


Great Satan's military intelligentsia gets psychic about it

"Iran appears increasingly interested in joining the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) and form a powerful axis with its twin pillars, China and
Russia, as a counterweight to a US power "unchained."

"Return of History" also notes how dangerous a potential Axis of Autocrats can be

"The willingness of the autocrats in Moscow and Beijing to protect their fellow
autocrats in Pyongyang, Tehran and Khartoum increases the chances that the
connection between terrorists and nuclear weapons will eventually be made. When
it comes to Iran, Syria and Hiz'B'Allah - Russia and China tend to see not
terrorists but useful partners in a great global struggle."