[ZNPaaneah]

I see some eery comparisons between the period prior to WWI and today.

1. There were four major powers: Britain, France, Russia and Germany. Today I would equate those four with US, Nato, China and Russia.

2. Britain felt that the bigger threat was Russia, hence their foreign policy was designed to favor Russia and disadvantage Germany. Today the US sees China as the bigger threat and we favor China and disadvantage Russia.

3. France had an active policy of containment towards Germany. Today Nato has an active policy of containment towards Russia.

4. France insulted Germany when they seized Morocco. I see Hillary Clinton’s treatment of Russia as also insulting and analogous. The French error led to the resignation of a seasoned and experienced man (Declasse) in charge of foreign policy who was replaced with a novice (Rouvier). Clinton’s insults to Russia have led to her loss of the election and being replaced with a novice. We are now sending Kushner around handling our foreign policy.

5. Germany was forced to attempt to break up the alliances of Britain and France, and also of France and Russia. Today Russia is forced to break up the alliances of the US and Nato and the West with China. This is what is so concerning about the allegations concerning Trump, not just that he has colluded with Russia, but that he is also undermining the alliance with Nato. Taking the phone call from Taiwan was a major slap in the face to China. We will soon see what he does with China. He clearly signaled earlier this week that it would be OK for Syria to do as they wish without US interference. He has thrown three very big wrenches into our alliances with Nato and China, not to mention many little insults as well.