Now This Is Interesting

For the last decade or so, one of the major suppliers of arms to China has been Israel. This is ironic, because much of Israel's technology is then transferred by China to Arab regimes who are, of course, hostile to Israel. Until today, apparently:

"Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz convened the heads of some 50 of the leading defense industry firms in the country Monday, and warned that they must get written permission from the ministry for any trip they or their representatives make to China, or for starting any business negotiations with the Chinese even if they are selling civilian equipment that happens to be manufactured in an Israeli defense plant. The CEOs were told ahead of time that it was about the crisis in relations with the U.S. in the wake of military sales to China. Some ministry department chiefs also attended the meeting.

All this really means is that European arms sales will continue as they have under the embargo anyway, and Russian arms sales are likely to increase somewhat. Still, it's a sign of how much pressure the US is putting on various allies to isolate China.

I'm beginning to think that war is more and more likely in the Pacific. I don't know when, and I'm pretty sure neither side is going to "want" a war. Still, the anti-secession law, combined with the US's stance on the arms trade, makes me think that both sides are going to keep ramping up tensions until something snaps. It's sad, because I don't think Beijing wants war, and I don't think the US does either. But both sides are stuck in a mindset left over from the Cold War, really. Of course, these things have a way of turning around, so I wouldn't start digging the bomb shelter yet.