Unprecedented Joint Russia-China Military Maneuvers

[indigobusiness]

MOSCOW (AP) -- Once-bitter rivals Russia and China will hold a massive joint military exercise on Chinese territory next year involving submarines and possibly strategic bombers, Russia's defense minister said Monday as the two nations move to bolster already burgeoning military ties.

Many observers saw the announcement as Russia's response to a spat with the United States and other Western nations over the disputed election in Ukraine, Russia's neighbor, where the Kremlin-backed candidate trailed a pro-Western politician in near-final results.

"For the first time in history, we have agreed to hold quite a large military exercise together with China on Chinese territory in the second half of the year," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at a Cabinet session chaired by President Vladimir Putin, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.

"The Russian side will not bring big numbers of servicemen, but mostly state-of-the art weapons -- navy, air, long-range aviation, submarines -- to practice interaction with China in different forms of military maneuvers."

snip

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ats-ap_intl11dec27,0,3704880.story?coll=ny-leadworldnews-headlines

[Old and In the Way]

1. Anyone surprised that the world is realigning itself to reflect the

new American century? Lots of interesting partnerships, trade agreements, and mutual defense pacts starting to pop up. Nice to know we are uniting the world.

[BadGimp]

2. not me

nope...wait till we take on Iran..

[indigobusiness]

3. Nor me.

Nothing the bozo-in-chief does surprises me, anymore.

I always enjoyed seeing bullies get their hat handed to 'em. It feels a little weird this time. Comeuppance on steroids.

[ObamaFan2500]

4. This is VERY VERY scary

[indigobusiness]

5. It's a bit unsettling...

but is it unexpected?