I heard on the radio today that Taiwan was contemplating a nuclear weapons program as it no longer felt it could depend upon the support of the west if China tried to use force to re-integrate it into the mainland. That was interesting, but what was more interesting was the Chinese response. They apparently said that they would be fully justified in carrying out a pre-emptive strike against Taiwan to protect its interests. This is the part of this doctrine of pre-emption that the US used to justify Iraq that worries me. I dare say China would point at Iraq, if ever the need arose. http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1220792.htm OK, I dare say it largely sabre rattling on the part of China, and I dont think anyone wants Taiwan to have nuclear weapons, but its a bad sign that nations are talking so openly about pre-emptive strikes against other nations. It seems to have become a legitimate strategy again after being largely out of favour since Pearl Harbour. It actually made me think about "Minority Report". Its a bit the same. We think you are going to commit a crime, so we will arrest you now, just in case. Life imitates art. Andrew
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