1. What is behind the U.S. push for Greenland at this time?
Answer: The U.S. has resource concerns and military interests pertaining to Greenland and the Arctic, and this is what we're seeing expressed.
At the same time, Russia has an interest in pushing westward into Europe and China would like to repatriate Taiwan as a Chinese territory.
So, we are likely to see a simultaneous push on the part of the three superpowers for territorial advancement.
2. Does that include U.S. hegemony in Central and South America?
Answer: It does, and the United States certainly has mining interests in Canada as well.
3. Is the U.S. likely to back off of these aspirations?
Answer: Only temporarily. The United States is very serious about these goals, just as Russia and China will pursue their strategic objectives without much restraint.
4. Is it fair to say that the United States, China and Russia have communicated about their respective objectives?
Answer: Oh, yes. This is a fair assessment.
5. So Europe has a great deal to be worried about at this point?
Answer: It does. Western Europe has been fairly stable for seventy years, and Article V of NATO has been a bulwark against tests of that stability. But there is going to be a substantive shift in European security due to the current geopolitical concerns worldwide.
6. If we may pivot for a moment to the Middle East, what are the risks given the situation in Iran?
Answer: It is important to remember that Iran is closely aligned with Russia, as is the far right within the United States. Iranians report that significant numbers of protesters within Iran appear to be outsiders, which is an important observation.
The risks include the possibility of military intervention in Iran by the United States, which could lead to retaliatory action against the continental United States by Russia, Iran, or their allies.
7. Could this take the form of State sponsored retaliation by individuals who would be disavowed as radicals?
Answer: Easily.
8. What could that look like?
Answer: An EMP. A radiological weapon in an American city like San Francisco. A chemical or biological weapon deployment. This kind of thing. An attack affecting many people, certainly, and one that would lead to mass displacement.
9. And you would assess that these scenarios have already been evaluated by the governments of the United States, Russia, and Iran -- all of the major nations involved?
Answer: I would, yes.
10. Thank you for speaking with us this afternoon.
Answer: You are quite welcome.
Lane MacWilliams
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