Sudan becoming "US ally" on war on terror

[WMS]

At the moment there is a cease-fire and kind of a peace agreement, between the SPLA and the government, so that makes this easier to happen. The question is, what happens if the agreement breaks down?

And if you want to really bash a government over this, look no further than the People's Republic of China, who has given plenty of aid to the government and has invested much in Sudan's oilfields in the south...so did Malaysia, come to think of it.

[WMS]

At the moment there is a cease-fire and kind of a peace agreement, between the SPLA and the government, so that makes this easier to happen. The question is, what happens if the agreement breaks down?

And if you want to really bash a government over this, look no further than the People's Republic of China, who has given plenty of aid to the government and has invested much in Sudan's oilfields in the south...so did Malaysia, come to think of it.

Indeed.  China is Sudan's main friend in the world.  Any action taken by the US in Sudan is going to be percieved as an interntional attack on Chinese national interests.  Thus, it's critical to approach Sudan carefully for humanitarian and peacekeeping projects, preferably as dual American-Chinese endeavors.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...

[WMS]

I was serious on that post.

China is very edgy about any US action in Sudan.  China doesn't really oppose US humanitarian aid and whatnot, it just wants to make sure the US isn't using it as a mask for undermining a key Chinese oil source.

I, of course, being the evil neoconservative bastard that I am, would screw with them for precisely that reason.

[WMS]

I was serious on that post.

China is very edgy about any US action in Sudan.  China doesn't really oppose US humanitarian aid and whatnot, it just wants to make sure the US isn't using it as a mask for undermining a key Chinese oil source.

I, of course, being the evil neoconservative bastard that I am, would screw with them for precisely that reason.

Perhaps.  China is essential if we want to operate within the UN though.  We could skip the UN, but it would be more expensive since the UN already has the infrastructure within the country.   The AU is also involved in the country, that might be an easy way to operate within already existing infrastructure as well as appearing "multilateral."

Sudan really isn't critical to China.   I doubt screwing with them would have much of a significant impact on the Chinese economy.  If you just want to piss China off, there's easier ways to accomplish that , shrug.

Iran would be the ticket to do significant damage to China's oil supply.

China is already blocking signficant action in the Sudan in the UN. The AU would be a better bet, and would look good PR-wise as well. I will note that the U.S. has provided airlift to AU forces.

Still, China seems awfully determined on this, so it must be of some value to them.

And as for Iran, one project at a time.

I, of course, being the evil neoconservative bastard that I am, would screw with them for precisely that reason.

that's not neocon at all. I would do the same thing.

Maybe you're secretly a neocon.

[WMS]

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Yeah, that's why I was suggesting that we give China partial control over the humanitarian aid to ease their fears. 

I think I'd support equipping the AU forces in that country with top gear, giving them maybe 500 million dollars for humanitarian relief, and sending a some military "advisors" to make sure that the money goes where we want it.

I wonder what China would do with that 'humanitarian aid'? Probably give it to the long-suffering Sudanese military.

And I agree about the AU.