I dont see why we would have to pull out of the middle east because of China. We are stronger than them. NO one has a stronger military or Navy. Period. This idea we actually have to pay people this much money is a ruse. Money doesn't create peace. GUNS do.
Not the issue. We don't want them to have a toehold in the region, nor steal an ally from us. And our power is not without limits as we have discovered in Iraq and Iran. Overreach is a stupid play and we must guard against it. The reason that we have such power is because of the global reach we have with bases in 97 countries around the world. Our primary adversaries are continental powers, not global powers. We must put up with some shit from our allies to maintain this advantage. What we are discussing is Saudi money. Neither does. What creates peace is enlightenment. We have recently invaded, occupied and trashed two countries and all it did was make the problem worse. Military power alone cannot achieve anything we want. It must be applied smartly, along with economic power, diplomatic power, cultural incentives, and moral superiority.
