[1stFreedom]

Think of a band of friendly thieves. On the surface, they get along to varying degrees. Underneath, they are trying to pickpocket one another.

This is how I view the relationship between the US, China, and Russia. We might not be at cold war anymore, be we are still undermining each other in subtle and not so subtle ways.

At the same time, we have to deal with rouge nations which present a threat to the interests of all three countries. We should be backing each other up, which appears to be the case. After all, none of the three countries wants to be struck with a nukes or nuke fallout from N Korea. A multi tiered plan assures all countries that one way or another, rouge states will be neutralized.

Think of it as a good old boys club: rouge states need not apply to the nuclear club.

[MattGarrett]

RUSSIA hits NORTH KOREA. CHINA RETALIATES. THE US RESPONDS IN SUPPORT OF RUSSIA. IRAN TAKES ADVANTAGE AND HITS ISREAL WHICH RESPONDS. PACKISTAN, NOT WANTING TO BE CAUGHT UNAWARE, DOES A PREEMPTIVE STIKE OF INDIA - WHICH REPONDS.

ADIOS MUCHACHOS.

[The Grammarian]

At the same time, we have to deal with rouge nations which present a threat to the interests of all three countries.

Considering the participants in this developing scenario, I can't tell whether you meant rouge or rogue, because North Korea is both a rogue and a rouge (red/Communist) country.