Even if we won hands down, it would do nothing to change the political climate there.

In China, no matter how abusive and insane their system is, most people there are comfortable with it, and believe it to be "right". We hear horror stories, but for the most part they don't, and they are led to believe that the the lack of what we call horror is the cause of our ills. Even those who hate their government there don't consider themselves in need of "liberation", I think.

Iraqis weren't brainwashed, however, they were just either benefitting greatly from the abuses, or paralyzed with fear. I don't think anyone there really believed that Hussein was a wonderful leader, they just didn't have any choice. They had *zero* hope of peaceful change in their country, and zero chance of any sort of internal uprising.

The Chinese are a political people, with great faith in their system. It isn't based around a dictator as you imply. It is a full-fledged political system, even if we don't agree with it.

I hate the Chinese government, with a visceral, tangible hate, but I don't think there are many there that have the same sentiment. At worst they want serious reform. They don't want to be liberated. I suppose that is the most overwhelming difference. Iraqis are happy to be rid of Hussein, happy to be starting over, even if they don't like us any better.

Thanks Greywar and BakerStreet.

I am very passionate about the plight of the Tibetans. I think what has happened there and is continuing to happen is totally barbaric and displays the very intent of the chinese government with their reunification of the "motherland" policy. I've been reading the Peoples Republic newspaper online and it is very eye opening to say the least on their views on what is happening in their own country and what is happening in the rest of the world.

I think it is one "evil" the world needs to rid itself of. How? I dont know. But I really do believe it to be a huge problem that we arent really addressing. But how do we address it?? Im interested to hear peoples views.

Why hasnt anything been done about Chinas occupation of Tibet or its military capacity as a dictatorship nation?

Because there is no oil in Tibet.

Because there is no oil in Tibet.

It's the same reason we never directly attacked the Soviet Union, but had no problem attacking other countries in which communism was spreading. Were we wrong to try to contain communism as we did, because we never attacked the big dog, which would inevitably lead to nuclear war?

Were we wrong to try to contain communism as we did, because we never attacked the big dog, which would inevitably lead to nuclear war?

Im just a little dismayed at how a peace loving nation such as Tibet was never protected by anyone in the world when they cried out for help. Yet Kuwait, Taiwan, South Korea, Timor have all had the big dogs help them out.

The idea of attacking China is a pointless action, moreover, it is a logicistical nightmare only Parallel to WW II. China would not let us ship over boatloads of troups to arrive at their mainland just as we would not allow them to land here. The naval battle would be a long drawn out conflict and little hope of resolution. The Air Superiority of the U.S. would be unquestionable but the ability to truly cripple China with her massive land mass and powerfull industrusty is daunting at best and hopless impossible at a realistic expectation. The only alternative is Nuclear which is unfesiable because she also has the bomb so that will end with both our destruction.

It's not just the reason of Oil but behind it the economical situation. We both gain more from trade and co-existance than war.

We both gain more from trade and co-existance than war.

Sure it is all about money and gain, rather than what is right.

conventionally...China is only a regional lesser superpower..period...if a conventional war was fought....China as does the world lacks the one key ingredient needed....the capability to project overwhelming power in a short period of time....that is the US militarys greatest ability....Chinas equiptment for the most part are outdated and useless junk...granted they have a chunk of worthwhile equipment but its too limited in its stock....no real navy...no real heavy lift/sealift capability....etc.etc....right now China may be on our side for the moment...they are not overjoyed at NK nukes that they have no control over as well...as such are seeking a way to diplomaticlly resolve the NK crisis....but down the road...prob 15-20 years...China is going to get one hell of a bug up their ass for regional if not global expansion...

With that said too many varibles remain unclear....size of Japan's military (they already are seriously considering enlarging its military especially its naval arm of the JSDF which poses a prob again for China...another intresting factor is by 2012, our Naval facilities in Japan will esentially be minor..reason, thats the decommision date for the US navys last 2 conventional Carriers which are forward deployed there and the Japanese are not that keen on allowing Nuclear supercarriers port rights there...but again this may change....time will tell

No oil in Tibet! All about the money! BAH!

Somebody want to explain to me how we were/are expected to "liberate" Tibet? Parachute our troops in? Look at a map! In those mountains? How to support them? How to supply them? How to defend against the tens of millions of Chinese infantry? How to evac our wounded? How to support the civilan population while doing this?

And what exactly should we do to make the Chinese quit caring about Tibet while we are defending them? Place economic sanctions on them? Would that hurt China more or us? Stop trading with them? They'll just go to the EU to do business. Toss them from the UN? Fat chance. The UN would probably prefer to get rid of us!

You don't just say to the Chinese "Do what we say or else." unless you have a credible threat to back it up with. Right now, I can only think of one. Nuclear.

On the other hand, if we keep the Chinese engaged, we can keep Taiwan free for a while at least, and get them to help with North Korea thus protecting South Korea and by extension, Japan. And who knows. Maybe the day will come when Tibet can be brought to the table as well. Sometimes you just can't have it all right now.

Politics is the art of the possible - Bismark