Comments by "" (@craigkdillon) on "OBF" channel.

  1. The reasons given are NOT why the SCS is disputed. If it was, then China would merely be claiming it as part of its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). BUT, China claims SOVEREIGNTY. As if the SCS was an internal waterway. Now, why would China want that? What benefit does that bring?? Simple --- if the SCS is SOVEREIGN territory, then China can control ALL trade through it. China could shut off maritime trade to/from Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, and many other nations of the region. These nations would become vassal states to China. They would have to kowtow and curry favor from China, just to import and export. If this is allowed, the entire world trade order would be destroyed. This is the real reason.
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  2. Before wars, often comes bellicose rhetoric, such as the speeches of Hitler and Mussolini before WW2. Or the rhetoric of Confederate politicians before the American Civil War. Xi's bellicosity may very well be the harbinger of war that we fear.
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  3. The local situation is in constant change and flux. All the nations are changing. Demographics change. Economies change. Alliances change. China's aging demographics will alter China's options in the future. Regional trade relations are changing -- with China losing its once insurmountable power in trade. Manufacturing is distributing to all the nations - Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, especially.
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  4. ALL past cities are two dimensional, with length and width. Think about it -- a city of 1 sq. mi. has everyone in it about 1/2 mile from each other, on average. If you take a linear city of the same area, but 1/8 mile wide, that city is 8 miles long. Each person is on average about 4 miles from each other, with the farthest being 8 miles. Linear cities are inherently less efficient than regular cities.
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  5. You forget the Illinois and Ohio River connections to the Mississippi. Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh are connected as well.
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  6. What I find fascinating is the question - What is motivating MBS to build NEOM?? What does he hope to achieve?? Does he really think it is a good idea?? Why does he want to spend Billion$ on NEOM? Does he expect it to make money?? If so, how is that supposed to happen?? Personally, I expect it to be a huge failure, and for it to accelerate the fall of the House of Saud.
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  7.  @Ali-t9v1c  What do you mean - "New Babylon"?
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