The other day, Squib asked about my WWIII predictions—so—here we go:
North Korea
As a general rule of thumb, it's usually safe to assume that people in positions of power want to stay in power. So, unless Kimiii comes down with a serious case of depression, we probably don't have to worry about him going on the warpath, unprovoked. That doesn't mean there's nothing to worry about though. See, NK has short-range nuclear weapons that it could launch at South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc; but, over the years, they've also been working on long-range nuclear weapons that could hit USA, Europe, or anywhere else in the world; and, while they're not there yet, they have been making progress.
It's my understanding that a lot of the fellas who work at the Pentagon consider this a red line, and—more so than Trump himself—the danger is that some of these blokes are going to be in Trump's ear-hole, telling him that he needs to act NOW, and that Asia's East coast is an acceptable loss if it keeps America safe.
China, Russia, Iran
The United States is a country that imports nearly everything, exports fuck all, is about 20 trillion dollars in the hole, and gets about a half a trillion deeper every year. So, why doesn't the value of the US dollar collapse? Well, because everybody uses it … whether they want to or not. A lot of the world's commodities are traded in $US, most large international bodies deal in $US, and—bizarrely—the global financial system is set up so that a lot of transactions—including those that don't appear to involve $US AT ALL—actually get turned into $US during processing. The fact that everyone needs $US, means that $US always have value.
However, there is a movement afoot to get the world off the $US. Spearheaded by Russia & China, but also including Iran, India, Brazil, and a number of developing countries. This, more than any military arsenal, is the most serious threat the United States faces. This is why—I believe—you see so much rhetoric coming out of the US about how horrible Russia & China are (and yet, they stay remarkably quiet when it comes to countries like Saudi Arabia). And I think that if the $US was ever put in serious danger, the US wouldn't hesitate to use some sort of flimsy pretense to kick off a hot war.
As far as I can see, WWIII has already started, it's just that up until now, it's been largely contained to the financial realm.
Indonesia
The Muslim world appears to be going through a period of religious regression at the moment, and I'm seriously worried about some of the shit that's been coming out of our neighbour to the North. If the US does suffer an economic collapse, I think we're going to be in big trouble down here. Our defense force is a joke and we don't have any big bombs of our own.
***
Well, that's my view of things. What're your thoughts? Tomorrow it's the big Eurovision wrap-up, and Monday I'm planning to do a post on the recent rash of computer ransom-wear, and also answer Squib's question from six months ago about worldwide internet outages.
13 comments :
Right - that makes me feel much better (not). My next question is, do you have a plan of action if any of this happens?
Have you got any floor space where I could roll out a swag, Squib?
Seriously though, if Australia gets invaded, I don't have a lot of options. I know how to use a rifle, but realistically, the sisters-in-law and I would probably get sent out bush somewhere with the kids. The last place you wanna be, especially if you're a woman or a young girl, is in a city occupied by a foreign military; doubly so if they see you as religious infidels or ethnic inferiors.
My plan of action involves closing the gate to the house and sitting on the back verandah with a shotgun (I do not own one, but if it looks like I need one, I will buy one) and hoping to protect the small amount of assets I currently have.
Seriously, if the shit goes down, there's so many of us living in the cities there will be mass famine within weeks. We'll be eating our pets and regretting throwing out the expired canned goods. I'll be raiding the market garden down by the creek and so will everyone else who lives in the area. (which means everything will be gone within a day)
I will not be going to work, and I will be hoarding my tablets too because who knows when medical care will be available as well.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think I'm fucked. I'm not sure if I can survive without a) heating in this climate and b) my medication and c) running water. Perhaps that's part of the reason I'm hoping so fervently that nothing will happen. OTOH, I do live in the south of the country, so TBH, I believe that like in WW2, the govt would defend Sydney and Melbourne with all their energy, so perhaps I'm in a safer location anayway. Of more concern would be the radicalised minority already living among us.
You're right, I don't reckon I could live in the bush down South, either. Going North may seem counter-intuitive (given the direction the invasion would be coming from) but it's a big (largely empty) country.
Also, if we weren't overrun in a blitzkrieg type situation, I might get a job in a makeshift munitions factory or something.
Suze I'm sorry, I find a) hard to believe!! B) & C) fair enough. How are you going to suddenly buy a shotgun? Hmmm this plan is a bit dodgy
Yep, going north seems good - who'd want to live there although wait, didn't China want to flood the north and grow stuff?
In this kind of situation, I'd be snookered as I don't know this place all that well and it's a small country with a lot of people. This is where it might be handy to have a boat and head out to sea, Noah-style
Converting the entirety of Northern Australia into rice paddies sounds like something that would take generations, Squib. Besides, I'm terrified of the open ocean. No, I'm thinking the Kimberley might be a good place to go to disappear for a while. At least until a new status-quo is established.
It does give me a chuckle though, thinking of my nieces and nephews growing up feral, and not having access to junk food & video games.
Yes, definitely a dodgy plan! As to heating - I have a circulatory problem that meas my feet and hands turn to ice the minute I stop moving. Fine in summer, but in winter - well I've been on my feet almost an hour, but I can still feel that my toes are like ice (I'm wearing a mostly worn out pair of uggs, but they are not bare!). Which is a blob because my back cannot withstand continual movement (and neither can my feet, knees and hips, to be honest, since I weigh 100kg).
Perhaps I should buy the shotgun now and bury it under the house just in case. I have no desire to actually keep one *in* the house unless it's truly needed.
I think the kids going feral would probably be good for them, assuming they know enough about survival to feed themselves and find water. :)
The Kimberley is a deserted place, no doubt. But it would also be the first landing place of any invading force, because there's so much unguarded coastline. Also it's hot, damn hot in summer. And crocs. You too would need a shotgun. And a good idea of how to survive in such conditions.
The heat doesn't bother me. Better that than the cold. Crocs do bother me; however, they do make for good eating, thereby solving at least some of the food problem. It's been a while since I spent any time living off the land, but hopefully it's a bit like riding a bike (which reminds me, it's been a while since I rode a bike). Also, the terrain is such up there that you could probably evade an army indefinitely.
Did you know that there were stories in the 90s of that cult Ayum Supreme Truth using a WA station to test out their weapons, including a nuke?
(this is the first link I found, may not be the best)
https://weirdaustralia.com/2011/11/04/was-a-doomsday-device-detonated-in-the-wa-desert/
There was a lot of outrage at the time, but nothing was done
It seems strange to me that I can't remember ever hearing about this, Suze. Did I miss this, or is my recollection getting that bad? In any case, it's an interesting story.
I've never heard of that either (the Tesla business sounds like a crock though). Couldn't they have tested for radiation though? I do vaguely remember a group stockpiling huge quantities of food/supplies in a remote location in WA but I don't think it was the same story
Suze, have you ever tried one those devices, you put your feet on it and it stimulates your circulation. I've heard they're good
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