What country represents the world's greatest threat today?

Southpaw · April 25th, 2006, 06:40 AM

What country represents the world's greatest threat today?

Stole this poll from another site.

NEZCardsfan · April 25th, 2006, 07:24 AM

I think this has the ability to be a great poll.....I guess the reason "I hate this poll" is winning, is because this PoD might require looking outside of the box.

How do you wish us to answer??

Biased or unbiased??

With my flag waving goggles on, the answer is easy, Iran.

But if I'm viewing this from a total outsider's perspective....hmmmmmm......what country on that world has the ability to destroy it??

Linderbee · April 25th, 2006, 08:36 AM

I voted for China. They scare the crap outta me. Not sure why. Too many people, I guess. I don't want them mad at me. I almost voted "I hate this poll" because the poll makes me uncomfortable trying to decide who's the biggest threat. I like living in my happy bubble.

boondockdrunk · April 25th, 2006, 08:55 AM

While I can certainly understand the point of view that the United States presents the biggest threat, I still believe that the answer is North Korea. The reason for this is based solely upon the application of the "Nuclear War Theory" to each of the choices. This theory explains that the only time that Nuclear weapons have actually been used was when one country had the ability to create the bomb (World War II). This was because the United States did not fear immediate retaliation for the dropping of the bombs. However, the theory explains that the reason we have not used these weapons was the fear that another country would bomb us back with those other countries pertaining the same mindset.

When I applied this to all the countries on the list, the only one that I could not see this mindset to pertain to were North Korea and Iran. So I picked North Korea because they have nuclear technology (or are closer to obtaining it than Iran: according to sources from Europe and the UK) and when push comes to shove, I seriously believe Kim Jong-Ill will have no problem using all of his might on countries like China and Japan.

The United States is definitely a dangerous country (just look at the numbers of ‘police actions’ we have performed over the past 50 years), but a nuclear war threatens not only people, but the entire world itself.

DjaugheOld · April 25th, 2006, 09:03 AM

I voted for Iran. (with or without nukes)...their suicide bombers and financing of other terrorist organizations that utilize suicide bombers is today's ultimate smart bomb.

Even though Iran may seem far away...so was the Jewish center in Buenos Aires, Argentina that killed 80. Most investigators believe Iran was behind that one.

While I can consider China and N. Korea "threats"...I don't see their "hardware" near as dangerous as what these bombers can do.

CaptTurbo · April 25th, 2006, 09:54 AM

You have India on there but not Pakistan? Did you know 6 people die daily from Pakistani terrorist attacks in India? Never hear about that do you?

Pakistan pissing off India is the most vital threat to this world at the moment. Taiwan(US)/China will be scary when it comes down to it. Thats probably 5-10 years away when China invades.

Southpaw · April 25th, 2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swd1974

You have India on there but not Pakistan? Did you know 6 people die daily from Pakistani terrorist attacks in India? Never hear about that do you?

Pakistan pissing off India is the most vital threat to this world at the moment. Taiwan(US)/China will be scary when it comes down to it. Thats probably 5-10 years away when China invades.

It wasn't my poll. I copied it, verbatim, from another source. Nuke 'em.

krepitch · April 25th, 2006, 11:48 AM

Stupid Asia.

NEZCardsfan · April 25th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krepitch

Stupid Asia.

ROR

Southpaw · April 25th, 2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEZCardsfan

ROR

Revolutions on Request ???

DWKB · April 25th, 2006, 01:46 PM

I voted North Korea, because every country on the list except NK has an economic interest in the world. They all have their enemies and they all have their weapons, but the almighty $ (or Euro or Yen or whatever) rules.

RedStorm · April 25th, 2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWKB

I voted North Korea, because every country on the list except NK has an economic interest in the world. They all have their enemies and they all have their weapons, but the almighty $ (or Euro or Yen or whatever) rules.

I put Iran (debated between NK or Iran) but my thought is that NK is so broke they probably don't have enough money to buy fuel for their rocket. But, Iran has means and a leader who is crazy.

But, both deserve the vote.

AZZenny · April 25th, 2006, 06:36 PM

I put Iran, because of immediacy; open financial and logistical support, training, recruiting, and fomenting of terrorism; actively building a 'Crescent of Evil' by drawing in Syria, Lebanon, and potentially Iraq and palestine; Nukes in 5 years max and a leader who obviously doesn't really grasp their seriousness (I still say he has no idea about things like fallout, for ex.) or doesn't care; threats to mine the Gulf of Hormuz in order to destroy the West's economy and unequivocal threats to nuke a neighboring country; a virulently racist, grandiose, paranoid, armageddon-bent religious-zealot leader.

But biggest long-term threat ? China. They have nukes, too, and they have no real worry about having half their population obliterated by retaliation -- they'd probably welcome it.

NK doesn't worry me at the moment -- they also have a madman, yes, but not clear to me how deep the insanity goes once he's out of the picture. Lately not much active saber-rattling, so they seem less pressing.

Iran, NK, and China all have no concern at all what any other nations think of them, and all are politically isolated -- only Iran has anything that vaguely passes for an ally - Syria.

40yearfan · April 25th, 2006, 07:16 PM

Pariah · April 26th, 2006, 08:25 AM

I voted for Iran, but I think a very good case could be made for Iraq because our boys are over there in harms way already. That war is slowly (not-so-slowly?) ripping the country apart.