Is a communist Russia more dangerous to U.S. interests than Communist China?

Question

Just curious what people think.

This question assumes the point of view that Russia is moving quickly enough to be noticed towards a totalitarian regime again. Considering their methods of controlling the supply of oil to Europe (with their multiple stoppages in supply for political reasons) as well as what is now perceived as a strong shift towards a totalitarian, USSR style "communism"...

So Red China already exists, but they have what is becoming more and more a capitalist economy under that communistic regime. The U.S. has considered China to be neither foe nor friend in recent years.

Which nation is the bigger threat overall and what can we do about Russia's shift in policy? Nothing? Something?

Interested in whatever you have in response to this or in contribution to the question itself.

Curious.

underground man -- Russia becoming more communistic regime-wise is tied directly with their economic system (take china, for instance)...

and I'm not talking about wars, I'm just asking about threat to our interests. this might mean capital, this might mean sphere of influence, this might even mean threat to human rights in neighboring districts (aka when they shut off the power for a former soviet nation in january)

and also the sort of thing i have in mind is their ability to influence the global economy -- when they shut off the flow of oil to europe on one of their main pipelines to force political action, the prices of oil skyrocketed all across europe -- this is one of the "interests" to which I'm referring.

I'm not talkin wars, I'm talking "threat to interests" and asking if there's anything you guys think we can/should do to encourage a different attitude or regeime-mentality

Sami - I'm not concerned with "american threats" to russia and china. I'm speaking with a view to U.S. foreign political/economic policy.


unlike many other questions that pop up on yahoo, this one is not aimed at starting a contest of wills or arguments, I'm only interested in how other people are considering what is a growing threat to world economic stability and US interests at large and in general.

edit for above, lol

the russain regime stance is *not* directly tied to their economy
lol
i totally shifted what i meant by leaving out that word...

the 2nd -- that is an incredibly interesting answer... i'm going to think about it in these terms a bit...

Answer 1

I think they both are a danger to our economic superiority. Russia has vast resources and China is in need of such resources so i think you'll see closer ties between the two nations. This would lead to a global power shift in all aspects away from America and Europe. China is already gaining influence in Africa and South America while the US and Europe are heavily involved in the Middle East. If our plans in the middle east fail we will no longer be the most dominate force in the world.

Answer 2

Both are a financial threat to the whole Western hemisphere. Right now the Euro is worth more than the Dollar is, and the Chinese Yen is driving the Dollar down too with George Bush's loans from both Countries.

Answer 3

Russia moving toward a totalitarian form of government does not mean it is necessarily moving toward a totalitarian communist form of government. I don't see Russia giving up it's capitalistic ways.

Hey, we're not even close to done with the Middle East. What do you propose we do, launch two more wars? They're going to do what they want no matter what, so all we can do is wait and see.

Answer 4

It seems to be the other way - America is a threat to Russian and Chinese aspirations for rapid economic progress and improvements in the living standard of the people of those countries! This threat need not be military but economic!

Answer 5

Given Russia ISN'T our largest trading partner, China is more dangerous to our interests. And I'm not talking about government interests. This has to do with the very standard of living to all middle class individuals in the US.

Answer 6

Russia is bigger threat to Uniuted States, as what you said, i have noticed that China can be a stake holder with USA, therefore, China will neither be an threat nor to be an ally with USA.

Answer 7

Russia is a very small and insignificant country other than the fact it has nuclear weapons. It has no way shape or form the possible formability of the former Soviet Union or China.